TRUE WORSHIP

Worship was never meant to be a contrived 'religious' experience that artificially excites one's emotions. It is the act of glorifying and exalting our Creator in everything we do ... 

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure, they are and were created. Revelation 4:11

People tend to get caught up in the 'form' of worship and neglect the 'purpose' for which it is intended. They focus on 'where', 'when', and 'how' they will get their periodic 'spiritual fix' ... and completely miss the point.  

Jesus explained ... God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24)

This means we approach His throne with a surrendered heart, completely open to His will. How one expresses worship is not limited ... as long as it brings glory to God alone. Praying in the Spirit, singing hymns of praise, serving others, and studying Scripture can all be ways we worship the Lord. 

Paul gives us this admonition ... Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

This passage contains the elements of true worship ... 

1. The Motivation 

'God’s mercy' represents everything you don’t deserve: His love, His grace, His forgiveness. The knowledge and acceptance of the gift of salvation should motivate praise.

2. The Manner 

'Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice' means to surrender all, including your mind. It is to be replaced ... Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)

To know the truth, to believe the truth, to hold convictions about the truth, and to love the truth will naturally result in true spiritual worship. It is never a response to external stimuli. Music is meant to be an expression of that which is inside those who know God's mercy ... by itself, music is not worship.

It’s also important to know that worship is reserved for God. We are not to worship saints, prophets, statues, angels, false gods, or Mary. 

Worship the Lord because He is worthy ... and He finds pleasure in the praise of His children.