True and Proper Worship
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is true and proper worship (Romans 12:1, NIV)
True and proper worship. What is it? How do know we are engaging in it? May I suggest that “true and proper worship” can be seen in how we live our lives? Specifically, it is seen in what or who we offer our bodies to.
Paul has made this point repeatedly in previous chapters. His description of the nature of sin in Romans 3:13-15 demonstrates this:
Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit.
The poison of vipers is on their lips.
Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.
Their feet are swift to shed blood
True and proper worship begins deep within us, in our spirits, and is prompted and aided by the Spirit of God. But ultimately, true and proper worship works its way out. It is seen in our actions and lifestyles - Where our feet carry us, what our eyes look at, what we do with our hands, how we use our mouth, tongues, and lips.
The power of fasting is found in the way it reveals the connection between body and spirit.
Tomorrow we will conclude this very important aspect of the observance of Lent by focusing on the words of Jesus who quoted from Deuteronomy 8:3 when Satan tempted him to break his fast as he prepared for the beginning of his ministry.
In Christ,
Dan