True Worship
by Bob Gaudi
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” –Romans 12:1
A few weeks ago, I was contemplating a passage I had just read. I cannot remember what it was, but it contained some comments regarding worship. As usual, when the Spirit nudges me, He puts a topic in my mind such that I can’t let it go. Even if I ignore it, it keeps coming back until I take up the hunt for further guidance and direction. This is what happened with the neon ‘worship’ sign flashing on and off in my brain.
When I finally took up the call, I delved into my Bible and several online sources to define worship, as this was the call I’d received. What, exactly, is worship? What follows is my account of my search and my key takeaways.
Worship can be a verb: e.g., to regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion. Worship can also be a noun: e.g., reverence offered, a form of religious practice, extravagant respect, admiration, or devotion to an object of esteem (Merriam Webster). So worship is both something we do and something that is—a thing.
That is all fairly straightforward. The really interesting part is when you delve into the meaning of true worship—the form of worship we should bring to God alone. While we use music, prayer, service to others, participating in communion, and other outward expressions in our worship to God, they, in and of themselves, are not true worship. True worship comes from the heart, and it is worship in both spirit and truth—worship of God who is Spirit, and worship in truth according to God’s Word, ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ. When the heart of worship and the acts of worship are aligned…there is true worship.
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). True worship, worshiping God in spirit and truth, is complete surrender to the Lord and involves a personal choice to allow God to rule over every aspect of our lives, every day, where we live to please God. To truly worship the Lord is to live FOR the Lord and requires complete denial of self. See Mark 8:34-35 and Luke 9:23.
In worshiping God in spirit and truth, we praise and honor God. This involves extolling His virtues and His works, expressing gratitude, surrendering to Him, being obedient, and acknowledging Him for who He is because of who He is. In praising God, we give Him glory. And we all know this is our purpose—to give glory to God. He deserves it.
True worship is and can only be a life-changing and life-saving act. Letting go of self, surrendering completely to God, and living for Him is not a one-time thing; it is an ‘always’ thing. Are you “all in” for God? Think about it. Who do you live for, God or idols? The choice is yours. Giving up self is hard, but the resulting peace is beyond measure and without comparison. Become a living sacrifice and be transformed.
Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You do in our lives. As Your undeserving children, guide us in living for You in obedient surrender to Your awesome glory and magnificence. In humble supplication, we pray that our worship will please You and magnify Your grandeur. In Jesus’ name, Amen.