It is more than singing certain kinds of songs... more than praying... more than clapping, shouting and lifting hands... more than reading of Scripture... more than preaching. Yes worship is more than all of these things. Our worship is based on Matthew 22 - "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." And . . . "Love Your neighbor as yourself". This, of course, is known as the first and greatest commandment.
But as we said in the beginning of this blog, it is more than the above. We see it hinted at in the Sermon on the Mount as Jesus expands on that command. We also see insight in the book of Amos when the old prophet gives some strong words about abuse and even condemns Israel's worship. He talks about the "assemblies being a stench", says "away with the noise of your songs" and then he says, "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!" Amos is saying that you are not living out a life of true worship. He addresses their idolatry and mentions their injustice and abuse of the poor five times. He charges them with the following:
*becoming self-important
*using wealth as a means of luxury
*neglecting the poor
*treating people like commodities
*perverting justice in the courts
*idolatry
As worshippers today we need to look at these things and say, "Lord, examine my heart and speak to me." True worship will include the glory and honor that is due our Lord because He is worthy. But it also must include the enacting of God's love and justice, mercy and kindness in our world. How's your life of worship? mjm
