Christian

What Kind of Worshiper Am I?

Cindy Dawson

Those bad Pharisees! I can’t believe how stubborn they were! I’m glad I’m not like one of them!

We tend to see the faults in others before we see our own. Isn’t that true? I’m pretty sure that’s called pride. So as we examine what the Bible says about worship, let us look inward, at our own hearts.

Jesus talked about two kinds of worshippers – “true worshipers” and those who “worship me in vain.” Do we really understand the difference? Let Jesus explain.

To the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus said,

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” John 4:23-24 NIV

But when Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, He said,

“You nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
 They worship me in vain;” Matthew 15:6-9 

The Greek word translated “worship” in the first passage is proskuneo. It means to prostrate oneself in worship, to reverence, to adore. To lie prostrate implies total surrender.

The Pharisees put on a show of reverence but were not totally surrendered to God. Interestingly, Jesus did not use the same word for worship in Matthew 15:9. He used the word sebomai, which means to revere. There is a big difference. The Pharisees honored God, but they were not surrendered to His will. Their hearts were somewhere else.

“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.” Romans 12:1 NIV

Let us examine our hearts. What kind of worshipper am I? Is my worship pleasing to God? Am I surrendered to His will? Or, do I worship Him in vain? Do I give Him reverence, but cling stubbornly to my own will? Do I worry more about how I appear on the outside, or the condition of my heart?

Am I totally surrendered to Jesus?

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel!

Photo: Woodlands Worship

RealChristianWomen.blog  

6 thoughts on “What Kind of Worshiper Am I?”

  2. Over the years the Lord has taught me that worship isn’t just the songs we sing, it is every aspect of our lives. All that we do, we do as unto the Lord, that is worship. If in anger towards my husband I reluctantly and bitterly do something for him, it is not an act of worship. It is not as unto the Lord. Men and women think differently, add cultural difference in how different cultures treat women and it is a harder service to the Lord. It is not a matter of who wins, it is the heart of our service, is it as unto the Lord or is it out of some sense of cultural rules that are arbitrary in that culture.

    We think of the Amish as Christians, or Catholics as Christians, denominations do not make a Christian and the pharisee type service does not either. Sorry duties call, hope this made sense.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. wonderful piece ! And Eileen’s comment is spot on! Couldn’t agree more. I realized one of the best ways to worship the Lord is through my daily conduct…am I minding my manners and business when someone brings me gossip? Was I quick to anger in a situation today? Have I been honest all day in my interactions? What would Jesus say if He saw what I have done or heard what i have spoken, today? Etc.

    I stopped being “envious” of the “perfect” worshipper when I thought to myself what does longing to be like them do for myself and faith? someone can apprear like a perfect worshipper but maybe does some questionable things when an audience isn’t present.

    God doesn’t need lip service, He wants action. My worshipping is in all the important aspects of my life.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment