Day Four: Worship: It’s In Our DNA

By Sean Fryer

“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1–2

Worship is our human capacity to render worth and value to someone or something. Christian worship directs adoration toward the Trinity, with Jesus at the center. 

Humanity was created to worship . . . it's in our DNA. Worship is not limited to the songs we sing in church prior to a message. Worship is a lifestyle; it's living in a way that pleases God and aligns with His Word. This lifestyle results from our decision to elevate God above everything else. 

Humanity is called to worship. There are countless passages in the Bible that direct us to “sing to the Lord,” “exalt the LORD our God and worship at his holy mountain, for the LORD our God is holy,” and to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Our worship should be directed to God alone, solely for His glory, witnessed by fellow believers, and an act of self-discipline. 

The musical aspect of worship, which we engage in at church and in our personal time, must align with the greater principles of worship. This means that musical worship must be to God and for God Himself; it must also be conscious and active. Music accompanies the action of worship and aids in engaging in conversation with God. God reveals Himself to us and we respond with praise and adoration through song. This involves using our voice, lifting our hands, and changing our posture, both physically and the posture of our heart. 

Worship is a verb. It is a sung proclamation of what we believe to be true. Therefore, it requires intentionality and engagement of body, mind, and spirit. Each song shapes our theology of God. Worship is transformational; it changes us from the inside out when it is pure and directed towards God alone.

Our theology of church can skew our theology of worship. If you view church as a place for Christians to gather and further your own relationship with Christ and for your personal gain, then you have missed the true purpose of church. This misunderstanding alters our attitude and approach towards gathering at church, and our heart's posture during service, resulting in a consumer mindset. 

Consumerism can lead to passivity. For example, if your personal preference style of worship is not met during a time of singing, then your engagement decreases or ceases to exist. However, worship transcends style. Our mindset in approaching congregational worship should be “What has God said? How can I respond?" You can meet with God regardless of a style of music.

PAUSE: Do I understand what true worship is? Have I been approaching worship from the standpoint of revelation and response? Have I engaged in worship today? 

PRACTICE: How can I change my perspective and mindset when approaching worship today as a lifestyle but also as we gather in church?

PRAY: Lord, please teach me how to worship You in spirit and in truth. I desire to hear from You and to respond in worship. Reveal Yourself to me, I want to know You more. Help me to be transformed through Your spirit as I engage in spiritual disciplines and worship. Amen.