Yesterday we were introduced to the practical
section of Pauls’ magnum opus: chapters 12-16. The opening verse, as most
English translators put it, starts out with “therefore.” Because of all he’s
done for us, this is what type of people you should be and how you should act.
The first thing we should do, the
umbrella under which everything else follows, is to offer a sacrifice to him.
Not a dead animal; he wants living human sacrifices now. Both once-and-for-all
at the moment of salvation, and moment-by-moment as we live in this sin-wrecked
world, we’re to be given over to him as completely as one of those animals burning on
the altar.
Paul says that this, as the NIV puts
it, is our “true and proper” worship. This phrase translates the Greek word Logiken, which is related to the word “logical.”
That’s why the NKJV translates it as “reasonable,” and most other translations
at least present it at least as an alternative. After all he’s done for you, it’s
only reasonable for you to offer yourself to him.
The other way to render it, as per
most translations, is as “spiritual.” The NIV Study Bible says it’s “[not]
merely ritual activity but the involvement of heart, mind and will.” That’s why
the newest version of the NIV translates as it “true and proper,” trying to
capture both meanings, which is certainly appropriate.
Whether Paul means “reasonable” or “spiritual”
(as in from the heart), I’d like to focus on the last word of today’s verse: “worship.”
The word, latreian, as per several
translations, can also be rendered as “service,” which makes sense. There’s a
reason Christians commonly call what we do on Sunday morning the “worship
service,” and the NASB even combines
the two words together for clarification: “service of worship.”
The
reason I’m going into such detail in the last paragraph is because I sincerely
believe that we really need to expand our understanding of worship. Yes, I
believe in meeting with other believers in a local body to worship
on Sunday morning (or whatever day, I’m not particular about which day it is). We need
that. American Christians are often so caught up in a “Jesus and me” mentality
that they don’t realize that they’re part of the Body of Christ. The
idea that you can have a personal relationship with Christ without being actively plugged into the Body of Christ is a concept completely foreign to the
Bible.
But.
. .
Worship
is more, much much more, than what you do on Sunday. It’s meant to be a
lifestyle. It’s a moment by moment decision that you make to give yourself over
to him, completely and permanently.
Let
me be specific.
When
you see a person in need and (in the name of Jesus) reach out and help them,
the Lord takes that as act of worship. When you take concrete steps to deal
with that sinful habit that you keep falling into, that’s an act of worship.
When you start the day off by praying “Father God, today I’m reporting for
duty. Whatever you want me to do, wherever you want me to go, whomever you want
me help, whatever burden you want me to pick up or lay down, the answer's ‘yes,’”
that’s an act of worship.
And
when you worship, both from your heart and soul and in the power of the Spirit,
the Lord Jesus takes your (highly imperfect) act of service and makes it
acceptable before the Father.
And
your Father watches. And smiles.
Lord Jesus, I want to worship you. I
want to be living human sacrifice. You might call upon me to die for you, but
until then I’m going to do the much harder thing: live for you. By your grace.
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