Rethinking Worship

Worship is the first responsibility we have toward God. Logically , it ties in with what Jesus called the first and greatest commandment to: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength,” Deut 6:5. For many of us who grew up in churches of Christ, worship is simply a synonym for the “five acts of worship” —i.e., singing, praying, preaching, giving, and communion. But is this all there is to it?

A good case can be made that all life is worship. This seems clear from Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” Yet, there is a time to come together as a body (the church) and collectively worship, honor and praise our Heavenly Father.
Attitude seems to be important when we do. C.S. Lewis said, “In commanding us to glorify him, God is inviting us to enjoy him.”

I’ll have to admit there are times when I fail to do that. Instead, I’m busier critiquing the singing or prayers, etc. Or, hoping nobody else is forming a criticism about something that didn’t turn out quite “right.” And I have to stop and ask God to forgive me. How about you? When you come to worship do you bring an attitude of enjoying the fellowship with God and your brethren? Or encouraging the brethren?

Indeed, Hebrews 10:23-25 indicates that our attitude and intentions toward others—especially when we assemble together—is of primary importance. “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as
some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” [New Liv ing Translation]

In the original (Greek) text, verses 24 and 25 are connected. They could easily be separated by a comma instead of a period. In other words, motivating each other to love and good works should be part of what we do when we assemble together (which some folks were neglecting back then and, unfortunately , some still are).

Our own attitude is clearly the crowning factor that determines what we get out of worship. What we bring in, more than anything else, determines what we take out. May we all come with a smile on our faces and joy in our hearts, and be ready to share it.
-In Christian love, Lloyd