I heard a statement this week from Mike Harland, Director of Lifeway Worship that has just stuck in my mind. So, I decided to comment on it here on the blog. His statement was, "Praise is the fruit of our lips, but worship is the fruit of our lives."
Hebrews 13:15 says, "Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name." (AMP)
Interestingly, the writer begins that chapter with exhortation for us to love our fellow believers, "strangers" to the gospel and prisoners. Then he challenges us to build our character and be satisfied with our circumstances. Goes on telling us to honor our leaders and ultimately trust and depend on God remembering that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Then He reminds us that Christ is all in all and to not fall for false or alien teachings, as we have been set apart through the blood of the lamb.
Only then, we hear about the "fruit of our lips" being praise. We usually allude to that "sacrifice of praise" as singing, but it is not just singing. It would mean that constantly a sacrifice of praise would come from our lips whether we are singing or speaking. And, I believe it to be even more than that. It should become the "attitude" and consistent character of our lives. Our whole life should be praise.
Then, again after v. 15, he goes into what our lives should be - "don't neglect kindness and goodness, give to the needy, submit to your spiritual leaders, do your part without groaning and complaining," a heavy emphasis on prayer, "strengthen and equip yourselves while HE, Himself works through you, with all glory going to Him."
So, it is interesting that before and after the v. 15 passage about, "a sacrifice of praise being the fruit of our lips," he is emphasizing our lives and that there must be fruit other than just the fruit of our lips. It is the other part of Mike's statement - Worship is the fruit of our lives. Without that, worship is nothing more than noise. So, may we live in a spirit of Praise and may our lives show it. mjm
