What is Worhsip?

From the onset, worship is not just the lifting up of hands while praying or singing a reverential song, bowing down, laying prostrate, etc alone though all these are forms of worship. Many Christians tend to focus on the outward expression than the inwardness of a man or the involvement of the heart in the worship offered to God. Believe it or not one can pass the human expectation of expressions and dynamics of worship without a single mistake but yet his or her worship rejected by God. For example; The Pharisees in the bible were very experienced in all the forms of religious rituals and worship but the Lord rejected their worship: “in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Not only were their character or nature the grounds for their worship being rejected but also not fulfilling the mandate of their life; as in the specific assignment given to them by God which is teaching for doctrine the commands of God not men. Let’s consider another example. The people of Israel were very pious and excellent in the dynamics of offering sacrifices unto God as required of them by the law. They were very diligent! Somehow along the line, fallen from righteousness, they had the impression that as long as they offered their burnt offering, blood of bullocks, incense, oblation and celebrated their festivities, God will still be pleased and accept them anyhow. Hence, the Lord spoke to them thus: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? I am full of the burnt offering…and delight not in the blood of bullocks…who hath required this at your hands…?” According to the law, the Israelites were to offer those sacrifices, but the Lord through his prophet Isaiah said He had rejected such an offering and he needed no more. Though they were obeying the law and were diligent, because of their lifestyle of sinfulness the Lord rejected them and their sacrifices or worship. Today’s compared to that of the early church exalt expression above character.

Considering the Scriptures, what does God mean when he talks about worship or speak of offering worship to Him?

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;

And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat 4:8-10

The Lord Jesus had fasted forty days and nights and was very hungry. The devil, Satan comes to tempt him by using his hunger as a bait to get him to abuse his authority and satisfy self but fails. Satan not willing to give up tries again concerning his belief in divine protection and again fails. Then finally the devil takes him up into an exceeding high mountain, showed him all the kingdom of the word and it glory and proposes to the Lord that he will give them all to him if he just bows and worship. Though the devil failed, Jesus made an expecting yet very profound statement concerning worship that will aid us in our search for the definition of worship.

Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Mat 4:10

The Lord replied Satan and said that it is written that it is God we are to worship and only him we serve. Considering Jesus’ and Satan’s interaction, the devil was referring to worship as in lying prostrate, bowing down, lifting of hands, etc but Jesus in his reply addresses the devil’s intent request mingled service. In other words the Lord is saying that worshipping and service falls into the same category. This means that the one you adore and reverence is the one you serve or render service to also. To serve means to minister to God, to render religious homage: to worship, in reference to the Greek. Also carefully studying the Greek word we observe that to serve was derived from a Greek word meaning one hired, to hire one for a work. In addition the same Greek word meaning to serve refers to the performing of the Levitical Service. Now the Levitical Service also as the mandate of the Levites included; bearing and guarding the ark of covenant, the vessels of the tabernacle, to assist the priest and to minister to him, to stand before the Lord and minister to him, bring wood for sacrifices and other necessities and so on.

From this (the dialog between Jesus and Satan) we can partially define worship as adoring, reverencing God through our expression streaming from our heart and fulfilling our duties and or our mandates as Christians.

Let’s consider another scripture to bring the definition of worship to a concrete conclusion.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:1

The Roman Church was a church believed to consist of both Jews and Gentile with the Gentile being the predominant members. Imagine the possible chaos and immaturity in the church! Since they lacked better doctrine the apostle made his letters available to them for doctrine sake, edification, and with the intent of a closer intimate relationship with the Lord. The apostle being a man of righteousness and intimacy addressed a lot of issues with regard to the Church, however he makes a remarkable and insightful appeal in the chapter twelve verse one of Romans that I wants us to examine by the Holy Spirit for the definition of Worship. He implored them through the compassion of God that they should offer or present their bodies (all their members and faculty) a living sacrifice, holy (devoted and consecrated: set apart, upright, purity or abstaining from earth’s defilement) for that was their reasonable service (worship).

Here in this text the apostle was referring to the Levitical system of offering a sacrifice to the Lord. In the Old Testament, we will observe that the person offering a sacrifice brings the animal specified without blemish (otherwise will not be accepted) before the priest to offer it to the Lord. He lays his hand on the victim for the purpose of oneness with the victim, then presents it to the priest as in transfer of complete ownership to the Lord. The priest dissects and cut the sacrifice as instructed by the Lord through the Law and finally burns it on the altar as a sweet savor onto the Lord. This is what worship is all about, becoming a burnt offering unto the Lord.

In plain, the apostle instructs us to presents ourselves unto the Lord Jesus our high priest who will offer the sacrifice to God almighty. We must present ourselves holy for that is the only way the offering will be accepted: for without holiness none can see God or please Him. “…Which is your reasonable service” he included. Service here means to worship, the same in meaning compared to that of Matthew chapter four verses ten.

With all this noted, What then is worship?

Worship according to Scripture is having a reverential fear of God which springs from the heart, expressed through your emotions through a time of ministration. It is living a consecrated life (holiness is expressed and evident in your character). Worship is one coming to the destinations of surrendering your agenda, will, desire, to the Lord as you embrace his counsel and purpose for your life. Worship is one with a pure heart fulfilling his or her Christian duties and also mandate and commission of their life.