Hello believers, in looking at John 4:23 and Hebrews 13:15 why do you suppose God wants us to praise and worship Him? Not everyone is blessed with a pleasing singing voice, so I wouldn't think this is simply for Him to hear pleasing sounds :)
I'm sure God is 100% secure and doesn't need our love or validation whatsoever so I'm wondering what the purpose of these commands are? ( Exodus 34:14 doesn't seem to offer much support for this, however. )
Ezekiel 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.
When you Created something and own it, and it's a soul living breathing, you want its Love and praise you, not rebel against you and love and praise someone else.
That's all true Adam, we've redefining holiness and worship, and excused disobedience.
This will cause many to be deceived. Matthew 7:22-23. says "MANY".
That should cause us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.
I like the way Paul put it in
2 Corinthians 13:5. You notice whereit says "how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
( He's saying IF Christ is in you you WILL perform a certain way.)
2 Corinthians 3:3-5 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, BUT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD;
( not in tables of stone,) BUT IN FLESHY TABLES OF THE HEART.
And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; BUT OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD;
God Lords over our hearts. Him IN us is manifested in our walk.
I believe that is what the Lord is saying in this rhetorical question in Luke 6:46 "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
If he is your Lord he put his spirit inside you to perform his will!
We've been sanctified Positionally.
( Given an atonement).
We are being sanctified practically.
(Growing in grace and quickened by the Spirit. ) This is our walk.
Worship is in truth and in spirit. It's not a hobby!
When we're passing out God's word we're not going to be correct all the time but we should hold it dear to our heart and be cautious to not treat it like a conversation at a round table.
Neither will we find our walk perfect but the desire to be perfect should be there.
There has to be conviction in your heart. Not pride or glory seeking. There has to be a denial of self! Not man pleasers.
It's joy being redeemed but it's not a game!
It's not doing our best. Our best isn't good enough.
It's accepting God's best. His son Jesus Christ.
It's his ability to sanctify us is where we stand.
I believe Hebrews 13:12-16 speaks of spiritual living
"Wherefore Jesus also, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY THE PEOPLE WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, SUFFERED WITHOUT THE GATE.
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, BEARING HIS REPROACH.
"We've been cleansed by the blood and separated to follow him."
FOR HERE HAVE WE NO CONTINUING CITY, "BUT WE SEEK ONE TO COME". (The new Jerusalem.) Galatians 4:26-28.
("But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.)
"Sarah presents a picture of this."
( We've been born by promise.)
Issac presents a picture of this!
Galatians 4:28.
BY HIM THEREFORE LET US OFFER THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD continually, that is, the fruit of our lips GIVING THANKS TO HIS NAME.
BUT TO DO GOOD AND TO COMMUNICATE FORGET NOT: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
We are to praise him for freeing us from the bondage of dead works and counted us worthy to be heirs of the promise given to Abraham by faith. We are to walk in that faith righteously.
Ephesians 5:14-17.
Romans 12:1.
"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."
We've been brought outside the camp cleansed and given the Holyspirit to be able to serve.
John 4:20-21.
It's not location or command. ( No longer in bondage) Brought outside the camp, been made free AND NOW ABLE to worship in truth and in spirit.
THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLYSPIRIT IS HOW WE SERVE HIM.
if we live in the spirit of Christ, we shall do those things that glorify Him. If you are looking to displace sin in the process, remember we have an advantage over sin. It is the forgiveness of it! God came to heal the sick, there is a fine line we walk, it is called grace. Saving souls is on the front burner, anything else can simmer. We can never know the heart that needs what it needs. Only the holy Spirit does!
Yes, Fred, it is the grace of God ( Titus 2:11-14) that brings salvation...it teaches us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for Jesus' return (our blessed Hope). He gave Himself that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
And check out 2 Peter 1:2-4. It says that God's grace and peace can be multiplied to us in regards to knowledge of God an of Jesus our Lord. And it says that -as His divine power has given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue (Jesus'), by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these yo may be partakers (acquire the communicable virtues of God and reflect the character of God to others) of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Then it goes on to (vs. 5-11) to list what we should strive (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to acquire and how we are to attain maturity. It is so very wonderful that God does not convert us and then leave the rest to us on our own efforts and strength. We would fail miserably again and again in our own humanity. But with the divine gifts that God gives us through the Spirit, we can become increasingly godly in our behavior, devoted to God, desirous of becoming more and more like Jesus, and seeking to commune with Him in our daily walk. He is always with us, always able to deliver us from evil, always true to His promises, and will accomplish His purpose in us-to be saved from sin, death, and the devil; and to be made fit for the life to come. We already have eternal life, though we still have mortal bodies. But God's plan for His people is far beyond whatever we can even imagine.
Fred, we will all be changed one day. All sin and corruption will be completely and forever removed from us. Can't wait
Holding fast the word of God, your understanding and knowledge is as pure as the driven snow. Pure and white with tiny crystals, that are full of life! Yes, each day is another day closer, in knowing our lives will become part of something much bigger than we could have ever imagined! Each day, is another day closer, no matter wind, rain, sunshine, storms must come and go as we wait for the redemption that is coming! Only because of what Christ has done for us! In the body of Christ, Fred
Regarding worship there seems to be many Christians who assume its bad to put effort into anything or be obedient or do anything active towards living as a Christian, because they believe its 'works' and they've been taught that all works is 'bad' despite scripture like James 2:26. I believe they think that Christians are on autopilot as the holy spirit leads them, that their name is already in the book of life and that their actions don't even matter anymore. And if they don't feel a deliberate force (such as the holy spirit) making them worship God, then they won't. If they feel a 'force' instead directs them to go to an adult nightclub and engage in sin they may do that instead, however, even if that 'force' is mistaken for temptation from satan. But some who identify as Christians believe they no longer have freewill to sin, despite verses like Rom 3:10. Some assume that even if they sin by the world's standards that not really sin according to God, therefore they shouldn't have any concerns about it whatsoever, despite Luke 12:5.
Given this belief, does God want worship to be a deliberate choice? Is it a command we as Christians must continue to do daily as a 'sacrifice of praise', or is it something just here and there to consider doing if convenient, or should we do absolutely nothing and 100% trust a spiritual force to direct us if we ever need to worship God?
Hiya Adam GBU....Today is already Oct 1st my, my how time flies....But lemme talk to you from my heart about PRAISE.
Jesus said outta of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou has perfected Praise...Which is our New Innerman that has to be born in us a baby...Our New Heart and New Spirit....Our Praise is too tainted with carnal things...We go a whoring after all kinds of materialistic things....But our New Man is the H.G. that Child of Promise....That can worship God with a Perfect Praise....out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou has PERFECTED PRAISE....Which is the H.G. the Child of Promise....Ya gotta realze we are gonna be married to the H.G...Our new innerman the H.G...John said he that has the bride is the bridegroom...Our flesh and his Spirit are gonna bemade 1....Remember when Jesus spat on the ground and made clay of his spital...It was like a Marriage his spit ( his word ) and the earth was made 1...And that is what he applied to the eyes of the blind man...This clay..Which is symbolic of his Church that is gonna be a HEALER/LIGHT to the Nations...His Bride
... John 2:24..Remember Jesus wd not commit himself to man b/c he knew what was in man....Many believed in him when they saw the miracles he did but he wd not commit himself to man....Likewise he does not receive the Praise of mankind....B/c our hearts are too tainted with materialistic things....God is a Jealous God...We cannot worship God and carnal things...Thats y we must be bornagain of an incorruptible seed...We must be incorruptible for God to except our Praise....We must birth a baby Christ,..giving us a new heart and a new Spirit...Nothin less then our complete cooperation is acceptable with him...All our hearts all of our minds ands Souls....He wants all of us...The only way he will receive our Praise is if we are Bornagain of that incorruptible seed which results in a baby Christ the H.G the Gift of God...Outta of the Mouths of Babes n Sucklings thou has PERFECTED Praise...TY Jesus...GB
It's about sincere & genuine FRIENDSHIP with God. Our Heavenly Father, Jesus & The Holy Spirit are our Bestfriends. It's about an honest appreciation & gratitude for being with each other. Thankfulness in Finding the LOVES OF OUR LIVES & spending every moment together- God shows us LOVE...be a good friend & show love to God. May everything you do be done in SPIRIT & TRUTH
I think that if we do not praise and worship the One True God in Spirit and in Truth, we will worship something else. It would be rare that any human in history would not have some type of idol that owns their heart-be it a false god, a loved one, a philosophy, an adamant position against God's existence, science, etc.
I think that we were made to worship God by His design. When we live a life of praise and worship to Him we use this aspect of our design rightly and thus are being obedient to His will in His design for us. Perhaps it is the image of God in us that enables us to commune with Him. Our praise and worship of God brings glory to Him, which is what He seeks in all of His interactions with mankind and creation.
I think that our praise and worship of God benefits us in ways we know and are not aware of. Our praise and worship allows the Holy Spirit to draw us near to God and also opens us up to His sanctifying work.
I am interested to read what others think about this important subject. Thank you Adam for asking it.
I'm sure God is 100% secure and doesn't need our love or validation whatsoever so I'm wondering what the purpose of these commands are? ( Exodus 34:14 doesn't seem to offer much support for this, however. )
When you Created something and own it, and it's a soul living breathing, you want its Love and praise you, not rebel against you and love and praise someone else.
It hurts when your children smite you.
That's all true Adam, we've redefining holiness and worship, and excused disobedience.
This will cause many to be deceived. Matthew 7:22-23. says "MANY".
That should cause us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith.
I like the way Paul put it in
2 Corinthians 13:5. You notice whereit says "how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?"
( He's saying IF Christ is in you you WILL perform a certain way.)
2 Corinthians 3:3-5 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, BUT WITH THE SPIRIT OF THE LIVING GOD;
( not in tables of stone,) BUT IN FLESHY TABLES OF THE HEART.
And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward:
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; BUT OUR SUFFICIENCY IS OF GOD;
God Lords over our hearts. Him IN us is manifested in our walk.
I believe that is what the Lord is saying in this rhetorical question in Luke 6:46 "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
If he is your Lord he put his spirit inside you to perform his will!
We've been sanctified Positionally.
( Given an atonement).
We are being sanctified practically.
(Growing in grace and quickened by the Spirit. ) This is our walk.
Worship is in truth and in spirit. It's not a hobby!
When we're passing out God's word we're not going to be correct all the time but we should hold it dear to our heart and be cautious to not treat it like a conversation at a round table.
Neither will we find our walk perfect but the desire to be perfect should be there.
There has to be conviction in your heart. Not pride or glory seeking. There has to be a denial of self! Not man pleasers.
It's joy being redeemed but it's not a game!
It's not doing our best. Our best isn't good enough.
It's accepting God's best. His son Jesus Christ.
It's his ability to sanctify us is where we stand.
God bless.
I believe Hebrews 13:12-16 speaks of spiritual living
"Wherefore Jesus also, THAT HE MIGHT SANCTIFY THE PEOPLE WITH HIS OWN BLOOD, SUFFERED WITHOUT THE GATE.
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, BEARING HIS REPROACH.
"We've been cleansed by the blood and separated to follow him."
FOR HERE HAVE WE NO CONTINUING CITY, "BUT WE SEEK ONE TO COME". (The new Jerusalem.) Galatians 4:26-28.
("But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.)
"Sarah presents a picture of this."
( We've been born by promise.)
Issac presents a picture of this!
Galatians 4:28.
BY HIM THEREFORE LET US OFFER THE SACRIFICE OF PRAISE TO GOD continually, that is, the fruit of our lips GIVING THANKS TO HIS NAME.
BUT TO DO GOOD AND TO COMMUNICATE FORGET NOT: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
We are to praise him for freeing us from the bondage of dead works and counted us worthy to be heirs of the promise given to Abraham by faith. We are to walk in that faith righteously.
Ephesians 5:14-17.
Romans 12:1.
"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."
We've been brought outside the camp cleansed and given the Holyspirit to be able to serve.
John 4:20-21.
It's not location or command. ( No longer in bondage) Brought outside the camp, been made free AND NOW ABLE to worship in truth and in spirit.
THROUGH THE POWER OF THE HOLYSPIRIT IS HOW WE SERVE HIM.
God bless.
God bless you.
And check out 2 Peter 1:2-4. It says that God's grace and peace can be multiplied to us in regards to knowledge of God an of Jesus our Lord. And it says that -as His divine power has given to us all things pertaining to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue (Jesus'), by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these yo may be partakers (acquire the communicable virtues of God and reflect the character of God to others) of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Then it goes on to (vs. 5-11) to list what we should strive (with the help of the Holy Spirit) to acquire and how we are to attain maturity. It is so very wonderful that God does not convert us and then leave the rest to us on our own efforts and strength. We would fail miserably again and again in our own humanity. But with the divine gifts that God gives us through the Spirit, we can become increasingly godly in our behavior, devoted to God, desirous of becoming more and more like Jesus, and seeking to commune with Him in our daily walk. He is always with us, always able to deliver us from evil, always true to His promises, and will accomplish His purpose in us-to be saved from sin, death, and the devil; and to be made fit for the life to come. We already have eternal life, though we still have mortal bodies. But God's plan for His people is far beyond whatever we can even imagine.
Fred, we will all be changed one day. All sin and corruption will be completely and forever removed from us. Can't wait
Regarding worship there seems to be many Christians who assume its bad to put effort into anything or be obedient or do anything active towards living as a Christian, because they believe its 'works' and they've been taught that all works is 'bad' despite scripture like James 2:26. I believe they think that Christians are on autopilot as the holy spirit leads them, that their name is already in the book of life and that their actions don't even matter anymore. And if they don't feel a deliberate force (such as the holy spirit) making them worship God, then they won't. If they feel a 'force' instead directs them to go to an adult nightclub and engage in sin they may do that instead, however, even if that 'force' is mistaken for temptation from satan. But some who identify as Christians believe they no longer have freewill to sin, despite verses like Rom 3:10. Some assume that even if they sin by the world's standards that not really sin according to God, therefore they shouldn't have any concerns about it whatsoever, despite Luke 12:5.
Given this belief, does God want worship to be a deliberate choice? Is it a command we as Christians must continue to do daily as a 'sacrifice of praise', or is it something just here and there to consider doing if convenient, or should we do absolutely nothing and 100% trust a spiritual force to direct us if we ever need to worship God?
Jesus said outta of the mouths of babes and sucklings thou has perfected Praise...Which is our New Innerman that has to be born in us a baby...Our New Heart and New Spirit....Our Praise is too tainted with carnal things...We go a whoring after all kinds of materialistic things....But our New Man is the H.G. that Child of Promise....That can worship God with a Perfect Praise....out of the mouths of Babes and Sucklings thou has PERFECTED PRAISE....Which is the H.G. the Child of Promise....Ya gotta realze we are gonna be married to the H.G...Our new innerman the H.G...John said he that has the bride is the bridegroom...Our flesh and his Spirit are gonna bemade 1....Remember when Jesus spat on the ground and made clay of his spital...It was like a Marriage his spit ( his word ) and the earth was made 1...And that is what he applied to the eyes of the blind man...This clay..Which is symbolic of his Church that is gonna be a HEALER/LIGHT to the Nations...His Bride
... John 2:24..Remember Jesus wd not commit himself to man b/c he knew what was in man....Many believed in him when they saw the miracles he did but he wd not commit himself to man....Likewise he does not receive the Praise of mankind....B/c our hearts are too tainted with materialistic things....God is a Jealous God...We cannot worship God and carnal things...Thats y we must be bornagain of an incorruptible seed...We must be incorruptible for God to except our Praise....We must birth a baby Christ,..giving us a new heart and a new Spirit...Nothin less then our complete cooperation is acceptable with him...All our hearts all of our minds ands Souls....He wants all of us...The only way he will receive our Praise is if we are Bornagain of that incorruptible seed which results in a baby Christ the H.G the Gift of God...Outta of the Mouths of Babes n Sucklings thou has PERFECTED Praise...TY Jesus...GB
That is a good query you posted.
I think that if we do not praise and worship the One True God in Spirit and in Truth, we will worship something else. It would be rare that any human in history would not have some type of idol that owns their heart-be it a false god, a loved one, a philosophy, an adamant position against God's existence, science, etc.
I think that we were made to worship God by His design. When we live a life of praise and worship to Him we use this aspect of our design rightly and thus are being obedient to His will in His design for us. Perhaps it is the image of God in us that enables us to commune with Him. Our praise and worship of God brings glory to Him, which is what He seeks in all of His interactions with mankind and creation.
I think that our praise and worship of God benefits us in ways we know and are not aware of. Our praise and worship allows the Holy Spirit to draw us near to God and also opens us up to His sanctifying work.
I am interested to read what others think about this important subject. Thank you Adam for asking it.
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