During praise worship, a man screamed loudly and
roamed around the aisle with his arms lifted up high. He did this twice. I
thought his act must have come from the joy of the praising God, but my
children’s response was a little different. They said the man must have
considered so as not disturbing other worshipers present there. After worship,
I shook hands with him.
On my way home, I pondered upon why I have no guts
to express the joy of worship freely as the man did. I am even reluctant to raise
my hands up when others do because I was raised in the church and taught to worship
God solemnly and silently.
Being honest with you, any act of worship going
beyond this criterion has been viewed as ‘fanatic’
or ‘show off’ act to me. Having said
so, I have no intention to judge other people who worship God in a different
manner based on my bigotry if I have.
We all need to hear from the Word of God in all
aspects of our Christian life.
What
does the Bible say about the proper act of worship to God?
Our Lord says, “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and
pray to your Father, Who is unseen. Then your Father, Who sees what is done in
secret, will reward you” in Matthew 6:6.
And the Lord says, “God is Spirit, and His
worshipers must worship in Spirit and in Truth”
In John 4:24.
He didn’t say, ‘worship
solemnly and silently’ that I do, rather He said, in “Spirit and Truth.”
Then who is ‘worshiper in Spirit and Truth’?
It can be best interpreted;
“A
man worships God in spirit, when, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he
brings all his affections, appetites, and desires to the throne of God; and he
worships Him in truth, when every purpose and passion of his heart, and when
every act of his religious worship, is guided and regulated by the Word of God both
internal and external; with both the bodies and souls of worshipers; and both
private and public; in the closet, in the family, and in the Church of God; as
prayer, praise, attendance on the word and ordinances.”
We worship God Who wishes us to worship in Spirit
and Truth.
Let’s worship Him in His way, neither in my way, nor
your way, nor in Presbyterian way, nor Pentecostal
way, nor Methodist way, nor Anglican way, nor Roman Catholic way, nor Baptist
way, nor pagan way.
Amen and amen!
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