To Worship Means...

The Scriptures must be addressed before humanly attempting to define worship. Although anyone can worship anything, we will seek to specifically address worship of the Trinitarian God of the Bible. Music is an essential and evident aspect of worship, but a willingness to serve the Lord wholeheartedly must be incorporated humbly.

"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" (Rom. 12:1, ESV).

Biblical worship is a sacrificial lifestyle that is pleasing to God. Songs of praise are not the only aspect of this worship, but they can surely be used for the glory of God. He specifically requires this type of worship throughout the Scriptures.

"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also" (1 Cor. 14:15).

The apostle Paul addressed speaking in tongues and prophesy in 1 Corinthians 14, but people tend to neglect the presence of singing and prayer in this text. God appreciates humble, orderly worship through the spirit and the mind.

Now, multiple characteristics form worship. Uniquely, it is used as a noun, verb, and an adjective. Unlike many words, worship carries weight and a complex definition that we may not fully comprehend until the day of the Lord. We wait in patience and hold onto the answers we have from God's word.

"Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing" (Psalm 100:2).

Another facet of worship is love. Everything is done in vain without love, and we are nothing without it (1 Cor. 13). Although Colossians 3:14-17 does not mention worship directly, it clearly demonstrates a life lived for God in love; which is the goal of a worshipful Christian. The "agape" love in Colossians 3 is known as the highest form of sacrificial charity. Because God is love, our worship must resound his perfect love.

"And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Col. 3:14-17).

We must also do everything in Jesus's name with thanksgiving to God, as verse 17 indicates. This enhances our worship and pleases the Lord. Yet, those who act without a heart of surrender fall short of true worship. The actions of thanksgiving, love, and worship require a genuine heart.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

God appointed Samuel to search for a worthy king of Israel, yet David was different than the stereotypical king. Even as a young shepherd boy, God noticed that David's heart was fixed on the Lord. Many Christians tend to notice the raised hands and loud voices of worship as a sign of a pure heart. While the Holy Spirit leads many to these actions, God calls us all to different kinds of worship. For instance, the young boy with closed eyes and a silent mouth may bring just as much praise to the Lord as the aforementioned boldness. God knows the intentions and the heart of each worshiper, and he prompts individual responses from each of his people.

"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth”(Jn. 4:24).

As Christians, we must worship the Lord with reverence and sincerity. God sees the heart of every person and knows whether each one's worship is prideful or if it derives out of a love for him. It is right to follow the Spirit's guidance and to worship the Father, Son, and Spirit exclusively. Anything else is idolatry, which displeases the Lord.

"And Jesus answered him, 'It is written, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve"'" (Lk. 4:8).

Worship is a sacrificial lifestyle of love, thankfulness, purity, and truth.