Probably by far my favorite author on the subject of worship is A. W. Tozer. Right now, I am reading through The Purpose of Man: Designed to Worship. If you are skeptical about the book, I would advise you to start with chapter 5 and I think you will want to read the rest.
In this book, Tozer describes the origin of religion as coming from Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned, they formed coverings for themselves of fig leaves. What Tozer calls "Fig-Leaf Religion" is man's vain attempt to correct his relationship with God by external means.
In chapter 5, Tozer further evaluates misguided religion:
"If we do not know how to worship through Jesus Christ, our Lord, the human heart will break out somehow like a flood that pours over the riverbanks and it will worship. If it does not get going in the right direction, it will go in the wrong direction but it will worship."
So countless religions are born from man's observation of the world around him and worship of it exchanging God's glory for images (Romans 1:21-25). Religion is stuck on the externals because that is man's confused response to God's revelation of Himself.
Christ taught that true worship is in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This is the right response to Who God is. "God is spirit; therefore God is everywhere, and we do not worship in places any more."
Today I went outside and watched one of the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. I worshiped God for His beauty, majesty, and incomprehensibility. I didn't have to make a sacrifice or bow to an idol. I didn't even have to run to the church and conduct a "worship service". I just had to be in awe and worship in spirit and truth.
That's what God made me to do.
No comments:
Post a Comment