“When I use the word worship, . . I’m referring to how you choose to honor God through the choices you make with your life. . . . To truly worship God requires an overarching frame of mind that governs how you choose to invest the time, talents, and treasures He’s given you to use for His glory. More formally, worship can be defined as the visible and verbal recognition of God for who He is, for what He has done, and for what we’re trusting Him to do.”- Dr. Tony Evans
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”- Romans 12:1 (ESV)
In Chapter 2 (“Abel: A Man of Worship”) of Kingdom Heroes, Dr. Tony Evans talks about the first core tenet in living a life of faith as a kingdom hero. Above all, this core tenet rests as the foundational principle for all else. However, Tony notes, we’ve largely misdefined this core tenet and how we apply it to our lives. That first tenet: worship.
Most significantly, Dr. Evans sees worship as vital to the Christian life. Therefore, the Hall of Heroes in Hebrews 11 starts with a shepherd named Abel. Because Able modeled the right way for us to worship.
But, learning about the importance of doing something and actually doing it represent two different things. First, both Cain and Able showed up to worship God. Yet, simply showing up doesn’t mean God’s accepted your worship. Thus, Dr. Evans cautions, it’s possible to go to worship and have your worship rejected. In addition, it’s possible to attend church and waste both your time and God’s.
In conclusion, the author states, Cain chose to test the limits with his own set of rules. Abel, though, brought the firstlings of his flock. Able brought a sacrifice.
Today’s question: How do you choose to honor God with your God-given time, talents, and treasures? Please sh are.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Phoned in or half-stepped: worship?”
