We fool ourselves if we think that singing songs of worship makes us worshipers. In fact, if we go deeper, motivating people to join in song, is only touching the surface. Motivating each other to live the life of worship will cause the expression of singing and other expressions to take place.
Singing is only one way of showing worship. Dancing, clapping, waving, speaking, and praying are just a few alternate ways of expressing worship. If a believer lives the life of worship, expressing it in the congregation will naturally result. Since worship is a lifestyle, there is no limit to how we can show worship to God. A few additional ways that can be investigated are writing poems, stories, and songs; drawing, painting, and sculpting.
The focus of worship is not on the “how” but on the “who”! It’s not surprising that division takes place when the focus is placed on the “how”. Elmer Towns coined the phrase “worship wars” in his book, “Putting an End to Worship Wars” as a response to the pervasive division that has taken place in the church over the last few decades. We will not discuss his writings but will only consider the topic. It is clear that the “how to do worship” has caused disunity and narcissistic tendencies.
One could argue that there is no such thing as “worship wars”. If ever there were two words that do not go together, they are “worship” and “wars”. Worshipers do not concern themselves with fleshly things. They are people who focus their eyes on God and love him with their whole hearts. The result is that there is a great desire for unity and love.
We cannot escape the fact that God has called us to join together in worshiping in song. According to Colossians 3: 16, there is a horizontal dimension to worship. We are instructed to sing to each other. These are songs of testimony, encouragement, and declaration. The focus remains on God while “speaking” to each other. When singing these songs, we ought to physically look at each other and have contact with each other. A lifestyle of worship encourages others that God is in control and he will do what he has promised.
Preparation for the assembling of believers will follow our personal worship of God. There will be an excitement in our thoughts because these times are a taste of what it will be like around the throne. Hand in hand with all the redeemed we will celebrate like no celebration that has ever taken place.
Services that we attend are the “rehearsals” for that great day! Get ready! Get your house in order. Getting adequate sleep, the night before, inviting others to come and anticipating meeting God in the assembly of the saints are just a few ways we can prepare.
There are some church fellowships that have chosen to fragment themselves according to the “how”. Some have fragmented into four different meetings! Heaven will not fragment us into groups who worship in traditional, classical, contemporary, and post-modern expressions. The redeemed of the Lord will worship with one voice. The scene that John saw which is recorded in Revelation 15 is not division but unity. We appreciate your Comments
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