A Passage I Love

Jim is trying something new over at Missionary - Blogs . He invited me to post an entry with one Bible passage I love, and why I love it. Apparently there are more than 180 missionary blogs that Jim is reading regularly, and I am one of them :)

There are many bible passages that I love, but the one that came to mind straight away is from John 4:24, “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth”

I love this passage because theological discussions about worship tend to focus on the mind, not the heart. But the words of Jesus resound the call to worship that transcends the intellect. Hence, true worship is more about the heart’s hunger for him, rather than the mind thinking right about God. In order for our every-day life to become an expression of worship unto God and to please God, we must worship Him both in spirit and in truth.

1. To treasure God’s presence.
God welcomes us into His presence. When Moses cried out to the Almighty and asked Him for His grace. God replies, “ My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:13-15). We should always treasure God’s presence and to have a hunger and thirst for the Living God.

2. To have a humble heart.
This is the very thing to which Jesus calls us all: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). We should worship God as children before the Father.

3. To sacrifice and expect something from God.
Hebrews 11:6 states clearly: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Worship always brings a sacrifice to God, it means in our every-day life surrender our whole life to God, or the biblical “sacrifices” like tithes or offerings. Malachi 3: 10 reveals God’s intention for our blessing and benefit.

4. To extend God’s love.
Worship should extend God’s love to others. This means to love the neighbours as well as to love and worship God. Extending God’s love includes forgiving others, seeking peace and reconciliation in our every-day life, assisting others in need and praying for and with people.

We can express our worship unto God in our every-day life in different areas.

Firstly, worship can be done individually. It is about our heart and our relationship with God. Hence whatever is happening in our lives, we will worship God, the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Secondly, worship can be done corporately. It is the one activity in which all Christians can join together and get involved in. It is important for the worshipping community to build relationships with each other and encounter God. It is a time where Christian fellowship can be nurtured, God’s presence can be practised, brokenness and wounds healed and faith grown. When people worship as a community, there is a dynamic to our worship that goes beyond our own individual faith and we can expect God to be among us.

One of the core values of World Team Australia (and mine) is prayer and worship, and certainly John 4:24 is one of the most important verses in the Bible about worship.

Do you have a Bible passage that you love? Please share with us.