We have seen that the greatest and most important of all biblical principles is that the Christian’s main priority is to know what God is like and on the basis of that knowledge to get to know Him better. As we have followed this principle and as we have studied God’s Word, we have learned that God is sovereign, that He is wise, that He is good, that He is faithful and that He is Holy. These are all wonderful truths about God and many more truths could be added to this short list. But as we study the Word of God we discover that it contains and consists of two main parts
- Firstly there are truths to understand and these especially include the truths which God has revealed about Himself.
- Secondly there are commands to obey which are applications of these truths.
The Christian walks spiritually (as he does physically) on two legs. His first step is to understand truth; and his second step is to act in application of that truth. If he understands, but does not do anything on the basis of that understanding, he is hopping on one leg and his Christian life is spiritually stationary and stunted. On the other hand if he is busy in his service for God but his activity is not based upon truth and understanding he is also stationary but hopping on the other leg! The Christian who grows and develops spiritually is the one who is moving forward on both legs, one after the other — understanding truth and then acting on the basis of that truth. Therefore the study and understanding of these five (and other) truths about God should lead to at least three applications.
We should worship God on the basis of these truths.
This should be our first and most obvious application and reaction to our understanding of these truths about God. The more we study and understand what God is like, the more we will want to worship Him. Indeed the Bible makes it clear that the Christian’s most important activity and responsibility is to worship God.
- God commands us to worship Him (Psalm 29:1,2; 1 Chron:16:29)
- Jesus Christ teaches and encourages us to worship His Father (John 4:24)
- God the Father is looking for worshippers (John 4:23)
All the great Bible characters gave worship first priority in their lives – including Abraham (Gen 22: 5), Moses (Exodus 34:8) David (1 Chron. 29: 10-13) and Paul (Acts 24:14). But “What is worship?” and “How can I worship?” We need to understand that worship has four main parts.
Worship is based upon our understanding of truth.
The Lord Jesus tells us to worship God the Father in spirit and TRUTH. (John 4:23, 24). So the first step in worship is to find out from the Bible a truth (or truths) about God –as we have been doing -and to worship God on the basis of that truth.
Worship continues by expressing that truth to God and praising Him for it.
What we see we should say. Examination should lead to expression. When you, for example, read in your Quiet Time Isaiah 40, and especially verses 15, 17 and 22, you can see the great truth of God’s greatness and sovereignity and you can then say in your worship, “Dear God I praise You and worship You because You are great and in control of everyone and everything.” If you read 1 Chronicles 29: 10-13 you will see how David expresses to God in worship the truths He has learned about Him.
Worship climaxes when we love and adore God in our hearts and spirits.
The Lord Jesus tells us to worship the Father in spirit and truth (John 4:23,24). On the basis of the truth(s) we have learned (in our minds) and the truths we have expressed (with our tongues) we should love and adore Him (in our hearts and spirits).
- We can love and adore Him in silence as we meditate on what we have seen and said.
- We can love and adore Him with simple words like “I love you, Heavenly Father” or “I bow before you” or “How great You are.”
- We can love and adore Him with good hymns which are based upon truth like “My Jesus I love Thee, I know Thou art mine.”
Worship concludes when we bow our hearts and spirits in submission to God.
Submission of heart and life to God is the crowning and final act of worship and the outworking of the previous three steps. God wants us to “worship and bow down and kneel before the Lord your Maker” (Psalm 95:6) in submission to Him.
Lesson 6 – The worship of God should be your top priority. You need to set aside a special time each day to do so.
