True Worship

 

Part 3 of 6 -

 

Rev. 5:12 … Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

 “Worthy” here means worthy of “honor” and “laudation.” This will be the cry of those who remain on earth and come to believe during the time of the 7-year tribulation that will follow the rapture of “the body of Christ.”

“Worthy is the Lamb” brings to mind the following hypothetical story that I present as an example that might well convey that which I believe is the object of our true worship unto the Lord.

If you were invited to my home and my wife prepared a wonderful roasted lamb dinner for us, would my wife be more appreciative if you responded in the following manner of 1) or 2) below?

1) You fall to your knees and praise the roasted lamb.

2) Or, after we say grace you dig right in, eating and enjoying the roasted lamb, as it was meant to be – as food for your nourishment and enjoyment?

I’m sure my wife would not be so much impressed with your outward demonstration of praise of the lamb as she would be pleased if she saw you dig right in, eating and enjoying the roasted lamb - as it was meant to be to you – food for your nourishment and enjoyment.

You may say “Thank you Linda, this was great roasted lamb.” Yet, the greatest thing you could do is eat and enjoy that roasted lamb meal. In that case, Linda would enjoy having you genuinely receive and enjoy the meal as it was intended; she would receive your thanksgiving as genuine, and she would be pleased.

You may recall that in Egypt the Israelites families were told by God to eat ALL the roasted lamb the night before they left Egypt . They were not told to worship the roasted lamb. In this way they would be nourished, supplied and equipped to leave Egypt (the world).

The lesson is this… we need to partake of the Lamb, Jesus Christ, by receiving and relying upon Him, moment by moment, to be our life supply. I’m sure the Lord appreciates a thankful heart and He is most pleased when we take Him in to be our life supply and sustenance day by day.

I believe this then is worship of the greatest order – to receive the Lord for not only what He has done for us (justifying us by His blood and cross), but also for who He is to us (Our loving sovereign Lord), and who He is in us (our new life).

Our greatest worship is to receive Him as He was long purposed and meant to be – our new “life” ( Col 3:4a, 1John 5:11-12, Gal 2:20)). After receiving Him we go on to learn to yield to His life in us. We are to be guided by His life and peace ( Col 3:15), to cooperate and walk according to His “Spirit of life” (Rom 8:1, Gal 5:16, 25) moving within us as our new life (Gal 2:20). This is the greatest worship… to walk with Him, to be guided by Him in service unto Him “in spirit.”

Philip. 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship (Gk. latreuo, minister or serve) God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Paul says “I serve (God) with my spirit.” Romans 1:9 (KJV) For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Service to God was Paul’s worship to the Lord. The word “serve” used here is the Greek “latreuo,” which is also transliterated “worship” in three places. Paul’s prayer here for the Romans was his service and worship to God.