What do you think of when you hear the word worship? Most of us think of a genre of music or the part of church when we sing. Sometimes we think of the Sunday morning gathering as worship. But what is worship according to God? Not only do we need to ask the question what does God consider worship, but also what kind of worship is pleasing and acceptable to God?
Paul bases his appeal to believers in Romans “on the mercies of God.” The mercies of God are the very foundation and motivation of our worship. Romans 1-11 is the most comprehensive explanation of the gospel found in Scripture. In a powerful and moving way, Paul reveals the extent of God’s mercies towards sinners by masterfully weaving the story of God’s sovereignty in redemption through time and history. He unfolds the mysteries of God’s eternal plan in revealing a righteousness that comes from God in His Son the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, who became for sinners their atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and their righteousness. He shows how the gospel breaks down ethnic barriers and welcomes the Gentile people who by faith receive their Messiah as a part of the people of God. Paul then concludes his gospel presentation with wonderful words of worship: “Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?’ For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” Paul teaches us through his letter that the gospel of God: Who He is, all He has done, and what He pledges to do is what leads God’s people to respond to Him in worship.
So in view of God’s mercies, God’s people respond in love and in worship. But worship that is pleasing to God is not just a song that we sing, although it can and should include that. Worship that is pleasing to God is not just church attendance, although it can and should include that. Worship that is pleasing to God is not just having your “quiet time” although it can and should include that. Worship that is pleasing to God according to Romans 12:1 involves all of who you are and all of what you do. It is presenting yourselves to God - your bodies, your mind, your emotion, your desires - all of YOU to be used in the service of God in any way HE chooses.
In light of Romans 12:1, what do you now think of when you hear the word worship? And how does this change you?
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