When I’m talking about our practice as worship, please
don’t jump to the conclusion that I am talking about practice for worship—as in
the band getting together to work on their chords or the choir rehearsal. That is all well and good, but I’m talking
about putting into practice what is preached.
The greatest expression of worship is not tossing a few dollars into the
offering or singing several choruses, but the giving of our total being in
delightful devotion to God every day of the week.
In many ways such an individual consecration readies one
for joining other devotees in a combustible explosion of corporate worship on
the Lord’s Day in God’s House. Get a
group together like that and there will be an ignition of praise! But, not only does it culminate this way, it
launches us into another week of commitment to Christ. A renewed mind reinforced by the Word of God
on Sunday, leads to my all on the altar on Monday!
Paul out it like this in Romans 12:1-2 :
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the
mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world,
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern
what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (ESV)
The real proof of whether we have met with God is what
happens when we leave. It doesn’t matter
how high your jump, it’s how straight you walk when you hit the ground! Feelings are like the tides that ebb and
flow. Commitment stays solid. We may or may not have our hearts soar into
the stratosphere of exultation on Sunday, but we can always leave the sanctuary
zealous for serving Christ. We haven’t
worshipped until we do.
The acid test of a worship encounter with God is that, “whatever you do in
word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the
Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17 NKJV) It is a simple template to remember, yet a
most profound one to flesh out. If I
have honored the Name of Jesus and professed Him as Lord on Sunday, shouldn’t I
demonstrate that during the week by what I say and do? If I have actually expressed gratitude on the
first day of the week, will I not be thankful on the other six days? This is a daily surrender on the altar of all
we are—in conduct and conversation to exalt the Savior. There’s hope for the church where members
live like that!
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