Singing and music have their place, but not as a substitute for obeisance and obedience.
When we call singing and music “worship”, however, rather than teach what worship truly is …
We end up with carnal churches and people.
So sing God’s praises to encourage one another when you gather, as the New Testament commands …
But true worship comes from lives lived in humble submission and steadfast fidelity to Him.
The prevailing characteristics of postmodern existentialism are relativism and narcissism, rooted in individual autonomy.
Is it any wonder, then, that we see such an emphasis on new “doctrines” that:
Emphasize our individual ability to define Christ and our relationship to Him by our own subjective perceptions of Him;
Redefine grace to destroy all concepts of objective standards; and
Dismiss the plenary authority of scripture?
Yet God is raising up a people who want to truly know Him on His terms …
And to worship Him once again in spirit and in truth.
Many know God as only a feeling …
And love the feeling more than God.
Which is unfortunate.
Although the true knowledge and love of Him invokes feelings …
The true knowledge and love of God are more than a feeling.
Freedom is not the right to pursue evil …
But the power to overcome it.
Many want the forgiveness of the Cross …
But not the transformation of the Resurrection.
Do you want Jesus for what you want …
Or what He wants?
Ultimately, you can’t help people …
Who only want you for your help.
Eventually, you must let them go.
Because neither you nor they will be whole …
Apart from real community.
The main difference between popular existential ideologies and Biblical Christianity comes down to perspective:
What’s the ultimate framework for truth, reality and morality?
Our sensibilities …
Or God’s sovereignty?
Our worse failings are redemptive if we let God use them to get our attention and transform us.
Alternatively, we can let them destroy us.
That’s why I seldom freak out when someone stumbles – I’ve seen many times how it can be an amazingly redemptive event.
But whether for destruction or redemption, it’s always our choice.
That’s because spiritual maturity is not about perfection …
But rather how we deal with our imperfections.
Few are willing to do the hard work of actually being the church …
As an active community of believers engaged in encouraging and ministering to one another throughout their daily lives.
Most, instead, are content to surrender the “church” to those paid to do it for them …
From an elevated podium on Sunday morning.
Be exceptional!
Dare to be the church as the New Testament actually shows it …
And leave that other stuff behind.
Many “Christian” these days …
Want spectacle over obedience.
Which is why “worship” these days …
Is spectacle rather than obedience.
Because I love Christ, I’ve opened my home and my life to those abused by people who use Christ to exploit others.
Because I love Christ, I’ve ministered to people in jail and the woods with whom polite society won’t dirty their lives.
Because I love Christ, I’ve loved His “ekklesia” rather than the man-centered institution often called the “church” these days.
Because I love Christ, I’m still willing to exceed my comfort zones.
How about you?
Loving God is not enough,
Because without repentance,
It’s not God you love …
But your own concept of Him.
Church in the New Testament is never about gathering to experience God’s presence …
But about expressing His presence – hopefully already in you – one to another so we can encourage and strengthen each other.
Nor is it about having a “worship service” …
But about including congregational singing of God’s praises to encourage each other so we can live daily lives of reverant obedience to Him, which is true worship.
It also is never about a monologue sermon by the one …
But about all ministering to one another to motivate each other to love and good works.
So why do Christians accept anything less …
Each Sunday morning?
Being an adult means fully bearing the costs, and the consequences, of our own choices.
Unfortunately, many parents today don’t let that happen …
Then wonder why their “grown” kids are such failures at life.
Tragically, I frequently see this as I go into our local jail …
Mostly among twenty-something boys from middle class families.
Even more tragically, the parents and their churches often continue – out of guilt – to enable their immaturity even when they get out.
It never turns out well.
Do them a favor:
Let ’em fail!
Stop enabling them and let them begin to experience the full, unmitigated consequences of their choices …
Even if it means they go homeless and risk destitution until they begin making mature decisions and start to grow up.
Being allowed to become homeless and nearly destitute will be a great shock to them – and they may initially stumbled badly – but with time I’ve always seen it turn out to be the best thing for them.
For the first time, they learn to grow up and own their own future.
These are not theoretical musings, but how our churches over the years have helped guys from the jail who had no family but needed to grow up.
In the long run, tough love may be the best love you can give.
It takes a community …
To make a disciple.
I’ve seen more carnal rubbish under claims of being “in the Spirit” than I care to remember.
In contrast, I’ve found that those who live lives of simple humility and faithful obedience …
More often are the real deal.
If you’re not a disciple …
You’re not a Christian.
Because there is no “Christ” in “Christian” …
Without God’s rule.
Until you admit that “church” as you know it, is not how the Bible actually shows it …
You will remain stuck in your rut.
If we’re not about redemption, then what hope does anyone have?
This is my passion.
This is my cause.
But it ain’t neat and it ain’t tidy.
It’s raw and sometimes ugly.
Because if Jesus doesn’t work for the worse of us …
Then He works for none of us.
There’s nothing entertaining …
About authentic worship.
Because worship, as the New Testament actually defines it, means living holy lives of humble submission and faithful obedience.
Which may explain why real worship today among many “churches” and “believers” …
Is so rare.
So last Sunday morning, were you part of:
The Jesus Show (“church” on a stage) …
Or the Body of Christ (ministry one to another)?
Revivals come and revivals go …
But true repentance lasts forever.
When people say “worship” today …
They mean reverent music.
When the New Testament says “worship” …
It means living our lives in reverent submission and obedience to God.
There’s nothing wrong with music.
It has its place, when done as the New Testament actually says …
But not as a substitute or new definition for true worship.
That was never God’s intent.
“Worship” has been reduced from its Biblical meaning of living lives in obeisance (humble submission) and obedience to God …
To music that makes us feel good.
Although music can be a good thing …
Somehow, I think we lost our way.
Plumbline Faith 