AUTHENTIC WORSHIP

According to Webster, worship is the act of attributing honor or showing reverence for a divine being. The Holman Bible Dictionary says: “Worship is the interrelation between divine action and human response… worship is the human response to the self-revelation of the triune God.”

Here’s my simple working definition: Worship is my response to God’s glory and grace.

When Adam and Eve lived in the pre-fall Garden, they enjoyed unlimited, unconstrained, unhindered communion with their Creator. As the Almighty revealed Himself, our earliest ancestors responded… they lived life in intimate connection with their glorious and gracious Creator (Genesis 3:8). They demonstrated authentic worship.

In the post-fall world, our worship is interrupted, distorted, confused. “Your iniquities are separating you from your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you” (Isaiah 59:2).

Authentic worship doesn’t come easy … but it is possible through Jesus. He “became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory … full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Because Jesus lived a sinless life, died a cruel and humiliating death on our account, and because He demonstrated His power by rising from the grave, He deserves our worship. He gave everything for us, so our response must be reciprocal. We must worship by giving everything.

Garden of Eden worship, true and authentic worship, should be our goal. Though unattainable today, in our Heavenly home, our worship will once again by unlimited, unconstrained, and unhindered. Until then, let’s make authentic worship our aim.

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).