Whom and Why do we worship?

          The most significant characteristic of worship that the Bible addresses is that of the object of our worship. Worship is to be directed to the one and only true God, Creator of all. In the Ten Commandments God directs Israel to not worship any other gods but only Him, and there would be punishment for those who disobeyed (Exodus 20:3-5). The theme throughout the Old Testament is that Israel forsakes the worship of God, indulges in sinful idolatry and is called back to a covenant relationship with God. The New Testament message continues and extends the invitation for a covenant relationship with God that is fulfilled in God sending forth His Son, Jesus, to be the mediator between God and man (1Timothy 2:5). It is to Jesus Christ, the Son of God that our worship belongs. Not to be neglected is the fact that Jesus has given believer’s His Holy Spirit by whom believers can fellowship with God. The New Testament expression of God’s revelation of Himself is that of a Triune being known as the Trinity. God must be worshiped in this Triune expression for anything else is false worship and idolatrous.

            The second part of responding to why one should worship is a direct result of the former response. The believer worships Jesus Christ because of His great love for mankind displayed on the cross where He made atonement for the sin of mankind. The author of Revelation expresses the “why” of worship with a picture in Heaven saying to Jesus, “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (5:9). Many believers have difficulty or controversy in worship because they do not realize whom it is they worship. Believers worship should be more concerned about whom they worship which will result in understanding why and even how to worship. To know whom to worship is to have an understanding why one worships. Implementing this principle diminishes much of the controversy surrounding worship circles today. One must know God and His desires for our worship to understand the concept of worship. Therefore the object of Christian worship, knowing Jesus Christ, should be the purpose that drives every other aspect in worship.