True Worship
A Life of True Worship
“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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Nearly everyone loves to be complimented. It affirms us and makes us feel good. But not every compliment is equally memorable. We tend to remember the commendations from those we highly respect. Those we believe to be empty praises are quickly forgotten, while sincere compliments can be cherished for a lifetime. I remember praises from childhood and adulthood that are as clear as the day they were given.
Even more so, the Lord hates false honor. Jesus tells us that the Father seeks those who will worship Him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). God is displeased with those who do not give Him glory with pure and sincere motivations.
The Lord says:“ Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isa. 29:13–14)
God’s desire for worship that’s sincere is just as true in our time. The Father wants us to imitate His Son, who, being without sin (1 Peter 2:22), sought to please God at every point in His life.
Thus, our salvation through Christ, despite our unworthiness, calls for a response of true worship. Paul makes this point very clear in his letter to the Romans. In Romans chapters 1–11, Paul explains our sin, the gospel and the salvation it offers to those who trust in Christ alone. Beginning in chapters 12–16, he lays out the practical applications of the doctrines of sin and grace and our service. The word “Therefore” that opens chapter 12 reveals that what he will tell us is the logical consequence of his earlier teaching. It is inevitable that the truly converted will worship God out of thankfulness for their redemption.
Paul emphasizes “spiritual worship” because the Lord desires our hearts and minds to be devoted to Him. Worship and praise have never been mere external exercises. Under the old covenant, the Israelites were not permitted to neglect the sacrifices God ordained, yet the Lord was pleased only when the hearts of His people were engaged in these rituals acts.
The need to sacrifice to God continues today, although we no longer offer the blood of bulls and goats. Instead, in gratitude to Jesus for our salvation, we offer our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1), surrendering to Him all that we have, do, and are. This kind of heart-directed worship is what pleases the Lord.
And friends, God does not want just a portion of our time, energy, thoughts, or money; He wants it all. This does not mean we cannot enjoy what He has given us, but it does mean that we must maintain a continual attitude of gratitude and thankfulness toward Him for our blessings. Offering ourselves as living sacrifices means continually thinking on Him and focusing on things that are pure, lovely, and commendable. (Phil. 4:8)
Living a life of true worship means aligning all that we are with God’s will. It involves daily surrender, recognizing that every aspect of our lives is an opportunity to honor Him. Whether we are at work, with family, or alone in prayer, our actions and attitudes should reflect a heart devoted to God.
The transformation Paul speaks of in Romans 12:2 comes from renewing our minds. This renewal is a continuous process, fed by prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. As we immerse ourselves in God’s Word and seek His presence, our minds are transformed, aligning our thoughts with His truth. We must do this because we are in a spiritual warfare with Satan who also wants our minds to be conformed to this world rather than being renewed and transformed to do God’s “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God ”
Simply put, true worship is a life marked by obedience to God, loving others and living out our faith in everyday moments by making choices that honor God.
God delights in sincere worship because it reflects a heart that understands the magnitude of His grace. When we understand the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the incredible gift of salvation, how can we not praise Him! Worship from the heart is not a burdensome duty but a joyful expression of our gratitude and love for our Savior.
Father, may my worship be genuine, flowing from a heart transformed by Your grace. I want to continually seek to honor You in all I do, living a life that brings glory as Your name is proclaimed to the world.
Credit: Ron Kelley
“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. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)
Nearly everyone loves to be complimented. It affirms us and makes us feel good. But not every compliment is equally memorable. We tend to remember the commendations from those we highly respect. Those we believe to be empty praises are quickly forgotten, while sincere compliments can be cherished for a lifetime. I remember praises from childhood and adulthood that are as clear as the day they were given.
Even more so, the Lord hates false honor. Jesus tells us that the Father seeks those who will worship Him “in spirit and truth” (John 4:23). God is displeased with those who do not give Him glory with pure and sincere motivations.
The Lord says:“ Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.” (Isa. 29:13–14)
God’s desire for worship that’s sincere is just as true in our time. The Father wants us to imitate His Son, who, being without sin (1 Peter 2:22), sought to please God at every point in His life.
Thus, our salvation through Christ, despite our unworthiness, calls for a response of true worship. Paul makes this point very clear in his letter to the Romans. In Romans chapters 1–11, Paul explains our sin, the gospel and the salvation it offers to those who trust in Christ alone. Beginning in chapters 12–16, he lays out the practical applications of the doctrines of sin and grace and our service. The word “Therefore” that opens chapter 12 reveals that what he will tell us is the logical consequence of his earlier teaching. It is inevitable that the truly converted will worship God out of thankfulness for their redemption.
Paul emphasizes “spiritual worship” because the Lord desires our hearts and minds to be devoted to Him. Worship and praise have never been mere external exercises. Under the old covenant, the Israelites were not permitted to neglect the sacrifices God ordained, yet the Lord was pleased only when the hearts of His people were engaged in these rituals acts.
The need to sacrifice to God continues today, although we no longer offer the blood of bulls and goats. Instead, in gratitude to Jesus for our salvation, we offer our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom. 12:1), surrendering to Him all that we have, do, and are. This kind of heart-directed worship is what pleases the Lord.
And friends, God does not want just a portion of our time, energy, thoughts, or money; He wants it all. This does not mean we cannot enjoy what He has given us, but it does mean that we must maintain a continual attitude of gratitude and thankfulness toward Him for our blessings. Offering ourselves as living sacrifices means continually thinking on Him and focusing on things that are pure, lovely, and commendable. (Phil. 4:8)
Living a life of true worship means aligning all that we are with God’s will. It involves daily surrender, recognizing that every aspect of our lives is an opportunity to honor Him. Whether we are at work, with family, or alone in prayer, our actions and attitudes should reflect a heart devoted to God.
The transformation Paul speaks of in Romans 12:2 comes from renewing our minds. This renewal is a continuous process, fed by prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit’s guidance. As we immerse ourselves in God’s Word and seek His presence, our minds are transformed, aligning our thoughts with His truth. We must do this because we are in a spiritual warfare with Satan who also wants our minds to be conformed to this world rather than being renewed and transformed to do God’s “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God ”
Simply put, true worship is a life marked by obedience to God, loving others and living out our faith in everyday moments by making choices that honor God.
God delights in sincere worship because it reflects a heart that understands the magnitude of His grace. When we understand the depth of Christ’s sacrifice and the incredible gift of salvation, how can we not praise Him! Worship from the heart is not a burdensome duty but a joyful expression of our gratitude and love for our Savior.
Father, may my worship be genuine, flowing from a heart transformed by Your grace. I want to continually seek to honor You in all I do, living a life that brings glory as Your name is proclaimed to the world.
Credit: Ron Kelley
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