Hebrews 12:28 NKJV
It is most likely a main part of any church service known to christianity. One that can be pretty emotiional for some, and rightly so. This is our "Praise and Worship" of our Lord. Whether it is with traditional hymms or more modern music, we all have our own way of showing reverence to God. This is a very personal thing for many people. It is here where we lift our hands, sing and praise our God in heaven. When we look into scripture, we learn that God is pleased with our reverence and worship for Him. For we were created for a intimate relationship with our Lord. Unfortunately, this relationship was damaged at the fall. However, far from being heavy handed and punishing us for our sins, God loved us enough to make a way for the renewal of our relationship with Him. For through the sacrafice of Christ, we once again have access to our heavenly Father in a loving relationship. Who wouldn't praise God for loving us so much to redeem us? Alot of attention is given to the willing sacrafice of Jesus, as it should. However, what is usually lost in this conversation is that it is only through our Lords love for us that Jesus gave His life.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3: 16-17 NKJV
Yes, although Jesus gave His life willingly, it was God who provided for the sacrafice of His Son. THIS, is a big reason why we celebrate our Lord. As I mentioned, the act of worship for God is a very personal one. For myself, I was never much into the whole public worship idea. Sure, I would sing with everyone else and offer my praises to God. However, I was much more comfortable celebrating God alone in private. I don't think there is anything wrong with this, it's a personal preference. Some people are quite at home with the whole public worship scene, and that's fine. To each his own. I feel that once we put conditions on the way we celebrate and worship our Lord, the less it becomes about worship and the more it becomes about compulsion, and THAT is not true worship.
I remember Bruce from my days at the church I atteneded at one time. Bruce was unique in that he was VERY adamant about how he worshipped his Lord. On any given Sunday, I would see Bruce lifting his arms to heaven and dancing in the aisle as the praise and worship band played. Some people would be uncomfortable with the way Bruce worshipped, but he never let that deter his praise to God. To his credit, he would not seat himself, but just stood in the rear of the aisle until the band began playing. This was how he felt comfortable in worshipping his Lord. I think back on this, and I see this as authentic worship.
~Scott~
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