TRUE WORSHIP AND TRUE WORSHIPPERS
Obedience in Worship
Is obedience a requirement in order that our worship might be acceptable to God? A person of the worshipping community has to pay attention to this question. The Old Testament speaks about people whose worship was accepted by God when they offered it in perfect obedience to God. Abel (Gen. 4:4) and Noah (Gen. 8:20) might be the earliest examples for this.
Obedience in Worship- Lesson from Abraham
Another fine evidence for this fact comes from Genesis 22, where Abraham’s obedience in worshipping God is beautifully narrated. Abraham had already manifested his obedience to God and had been worshipping God Jehovah (Gen.12:7, 8; 13:18; 21:33). Yet still, in this chapter, Abraham’s perfect obedience in his act of worship (see 22:.5) is highlighted. When God commanded Abraham to sacrifice his only begotten son as an offering to God (v:2), we see his perfect obedience to God (v. 3, 4). And God did well please in that. God requires obedience from those who were called to worship Him.
Obedience in Worship – Lesson from King Soul
To king Saul through Samuel, God says, “Behold, to obey is better than Sacrifice and to heed than the fat of the rams” (1Sam.15:22b). The high place given to obedience even over sacrifice is to be noted by any one who intends to truly worship God. Saul’s intent to sacrifice to God was out rightly rejected due to his disobedience. God requires obedience from those who approach to worship Him.
Obedience in worship- Lesson from David
When David went to bring the Ark of the LORD (2Sam.6:1-10), a thing that was right to do, Uzzah was stricken by the Lord in the process(v.7). What was the problem? A right thing done in a wrong way! The ark of God has to be carried by the Levites (priests) on the shoulders and not on a bullock cart (see v. 3; 1Chronicles 15:1-15). Bringing the Ark was not an act of worship as such but it was for the purpose of worship. When David ignored the instructions regarding transferring the Ark of God (see Deut. 10; 8; 31:9), it proved costly to him. God requires obedience from those who desire to worship Him.
Obedience in Worship – Lesson from Jesus
Obedience was integral in the self-sacrifice of Jesus to God for making us a people of worship (Romans 5:19; Heb. 5:8, 9). Without that perfect obedience, Jesus’ sacrifice would never serve the purpose.
Today, when we as the redeemed people of God, gather for worshipping God, Obedience is still an issue to consider. A great relieving truth for us is that we do not make our way to God based on our own obedience. Through Jesus’ perfect obedience we have got an advantage. He satisfied God’s requirement and our disobedience today do not disqualify us from approaching God to worship Him. Rather, in and through Jesus Christ we have the privilege and confidence to come to the presence of God. Our judicial worthiness to stand before God and worship Him had been already declared. (Rom.5:1-2; 8:1). But obedience in our practical life has immense contribution to make in letting us have the confidence to approach God to worship Him.