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The
Lightstand Magazine
1984
November Our Worship - Drawing Nigh
by CALSSA
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We
believe as individuals, we worship together. Having 'found'
the truth, we share the fellowship. A fellowship is an experience
of sharing; we come together because we have a similar faith
and we share its consideration, its preaching, its hopes and
aspirations. We have a fellowship of worship. It cannot be
legislated for, by rules and laws, although it is based upon
a foundation of "One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism",
the fellowship of worship is something organic and creative.
Something which grows out of shared experiences. It should
not be imposed like a straitjacket but it is something created
out of need, like a warm sweater, knitted lovingly and worn
for many years like an old friend. Worship is the family talking
to Father, listening to Father and Talking with Father.
Worship
is the work of the family of God, not essentially a ritual
nor an event but the totality of life given to God. Worship
is a life which acknowledges God's existence and his demands
upon the worshipper, it is to bow physically as a demonstration
of inner belief and is demonstrated by rendering homage in
thought, word and deed. Worship is therefore the total dedication
of our lives to the service of God, not just for a few hours
at the meeting in hymns and prayers; it is much more besides.
Worship is an encounter with God. It requires concentrated
effort, it needs concentrated listening to his words, an openness
of mind to accept the teaching and a willingness to obey in
the details of daily life. It combines many things together;
awe, reverence, respect, understanding, humble obedience and
compassionate concern. It is the mediation of the heart made
public before God. To the person who is thus open toward God,
he responds in guidance and care. "Draw nigh to God and
he will draw nigh to you".
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There
is a mutually dependant exchange of thought and feeling, summarised
in Philippians 2 : 12 and 13. "Work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you ...".
It would seem on the surface that these two
statements are mutually contradictory, on the one hand salvation
is the result of our own hard work; on the other hand, salvation
is the free gift of God as a result of Him working in the lives
of men and women. However, the truth is surely that God's word goes
forth, men and women respond to the call of that word and God helps
and encourages such repentent sinners. The initiative is always
with God, it is always He who acts, whether to give mercy to the
repentent or destruction to the sinner.
"So
then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but
of God that sheweth mercy ... therefore hath he mercy on whom he
will have mercy and whom he will he hardeneth". (Romans 9:16
and 18) A divine principle is declared in these words which is the
foundation for true worship; God's word is heard by men everywhere,
those who respond are worshipping God in their lives and He heareth
them. A principle demonstrated in the life of "Lydia, a seller
of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard
us : whose heart the Lord opened". Acts 16 : 14.
Because
she had responded to the Lord in faith and fear by worship, the
Lord heard her and spoke to her heart in consolation and comfort.
Lydia worshipped God, He gave her understanding and she and her
household were baptised. Worship is not just singing hymns and praying,
it is our total response to God.
CALSSA
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