Thoughts today...
Written on 8/22/2008 01:06:00 PM by Miles
I’d like to share a bit about an area of scripture that, in my realm of all things worship, gets a lot of coverage...it's Romans 12:1-2:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present
...Pretty rich, eh? I could camp out in there for an eternity, considering what it means to offer my body as a sacrifice to God. And being transformed, renewing my mind, proving God’s good, acceptable and perfect will; these are amazing commands and promises for the believer. That’s what I want for my life for sure, folks...
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your
spiritual worship. 2 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.
(Rom 12:1-2 ESV)
But wait a sec... Look at what follows:3For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of
himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment,
each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4For as in one
body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
(Rom 12:3-5 ESV)
You mean, once I have this sacrificed body, this transformed mind, knowing the will of God, I’m NOW supposed to be humble? I thought this was supposed to make me better than those other people! You mean I’m stuck here? What is that supposed to do for my self-image or self-confidence?
Paul goes on to describe how we use the gifts we have in the body of Christ. Each one does according to his gift: prophesying, teaching, exhorting, giving, aiding, being merciful, etc. This is the spiritual act of worship, the living sacrifice Paul is talking about. It happens in the body of Christ, the church.
Paul loves to talk about the living, breathing connection we have with one another as the body of Christ, as it's so obviously filled with love...peep this:9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice
in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the
needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
(Rom 12:9-13 ESV)
What a beautiful place the church is when this stuff happens! It has little to do with what music is being sung, how cool the sanctuary looks, the worship leader’s hair, or the pastor's dress and personality. Those who live out the fullness of this passage in authenticity are true worshipers. That's what I want to be, and that's what I want to be a part of. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm remotely close....
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