True and Proper Worship
I have never been a big fan of the NIV. I am by no means a Greek or Hebrew scholar but I know enough about both to know that the NIV is mediocre. So, when the newest NIV came out recently, I went on Biblegateway.com to look it over. Based on what I can see, the new version is an improvment.
I've looked over some verses which I know inside and out in Greek to see what the newest NIV has done with them and, generally, I am pleased.
I appreciate especially what the newest has done with Romans 12:1. The Greek there is rather hard to deal with. The last NIV version had it, "Therefore I urge you...to offer you bodies as living sacrifices...this is your spiritual act of worship." The newest NIV tightens that up and says, "...offer your bodies as a living sacrifice...this is your true and proper worship."
As I mentioned, I'm not an expert in the Bible languages and I certainly am not a wordsmith capable of turning an English phrase with skill, but I will say that "true and proper worship" is a good way of expressing in English what Paul is getting at.
So, according to Paul, what is true and proper worship? True and proper worship is the offering of one's body as a living sacrifice. Not singing the old hymns. Not rocking out contemporary Christian music. Not sharing prayer requests or praying. Not listening to an expository sermon or preaching one. Not tithing. Not even attending a 'worship service.'
"...offer your bodies as a living sacrifice."
My question is: How often do CGGC congregations really worship?
How often, in community, do CGGCers put themselves on the line for Jesus to feed the hungry, hydrate the thirsty, open their homes to strangers, clothe those needing to be clothed, care for the sick or visit people who are imprisoned? (Mt 25)
My guess is that nearly all CGGCers have not worshiped even one time in the last 12 months.
If you have, praise God!
But, if you look forward to the day when the CGGC is renewed, understand that it will not be renewed because we get people to attend the Sunday morning show, no matter what style that show takes. Renewal will happen when we begin AGAIN to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice.
But, will we do that?
posted by bill Sloat at 11:14 AM
2 Comments:
I know I come from a different, 'uncorrupted by seminary' mindset, but it kind-of puzzles me that, in light of the Truth right in front of our faces, many will still continue along the Christian-Social-Club style of "worship". The Bible could not be clearer, it is RIGHT there, our instructions, our point-by-point directions on how to BE JESUS in this world.
However, I think what is saddest is that many people will think they have reached the pinnacle of Life in Christ on a Sunday morning sitting on their hiney singing some songs and "mmm-hmmm-ing" their way through a sermon. What is sad is the joy they are missing out on- the witnessing of AMAZING miracles and blessings and just, GOD, moving, touching, affecting lives.
WHY aren't more people that call themselves FOLLOWERS of CHRIST, getting OFF THEIR HINEYS and FOLLOWING His LEAD? You cannot follow sitting down, stuck in a building, interacting with other people sitting down, hoping someone new will come in the door so you can evangelize 'em...GET UP, GET OUT!
Interesting side note: The name of Third Day's newest album: MOVE. The name of MercyMe's newest song playing on the radio: MOVE. Name of a previously released Leeland song: Love is on the MOVE. Lyrics from a previously released Downhere song, "Here I am, Lord, SEND ME..."
If you don't hear God's message in the Word, He is sending it out on the radio, too...ARE YOU LISTENING?
You go, Grrrrrl!
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