We have a lot of churches these days and while it is a positive development due to the fact that the gospel is being propagated widely, it is also neccessary to take an indepth appraisal of the focus of this development.
Here, our guest blogger digs into the topic and uncovers some truths that is bound to impart some knowledge into our readers. We must never lose focus of 'who' we worship and 'where' we worship must not overshadow 'why' we worship. Twist, huh? Dig in rigth here for details and insights...
'WHERE DO YOU WORSHIP?' vs 'WHO DO YOU WORSHIP?'
BY Etimbuk Ekpeyong
Has anyone ever asked you the pointed question: 'where do you worship?' If you still have a fresh memory, you will agree with me that it is a very regular question. The moment someone knows you are a christian, the next question he asks you is: 'Where do you worship?' What I call 'the denominational debate' is a serious matter in our present day society. We have become promoters of denominations and defenders of denominations as though our very salvation depended on where we worship.
Well, the denominational debate did not begin in our time. In John 4:20-26, Jesus engages the Samaritan woman in a conversation in which she insists on 'the place of worship': 'our fathers worshiped on this mountain but you Jews say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship' (vs 20). She seemed to be in a confusion regarding where God ought to be worshipped. Note Jesus' reply to her: '...neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem...' (vs 21).
Where you worship is not a matter to God. He said we should not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. Yes, but that can happen anywhere. It doesn't have to be in any particular denomination or location. If you like, worship in Catholic church of the Apostolic Church or Winners Chapel. All those big names do not move God. Nobody will make heaven merely because of where he worshipped. In vs 22, Jesus raises another issue which seems to be a weightier matter in his heart: 'you worship what you don't know'. This statement brings fresh perspective into the discussion.
Jesus seems to be redefining the concept of worship: '...TRUE WORSHIPPERS SHALL WORSHIP THE FATHER in spirit and in truth...' (vs 23). The words in caps are the words that touched my heart. Jesus is redefining the concept of worship: a true worshipper is not defined by 'where' he worships but by 'who' he worships. I see many christians attacking one church or the other as if members of those churches will not make it to heaven.
We have a bias against Catholics, Pentecostals, Orthodox, evangelicals, etc. DENOMINATIONS do not count with God as much as DEVOTION. On the last day, the question will not be: 'where did you worship?' but 'who did you worship?' Yes, your name is in a church register, but is it also in the Lamb's book of life? That is what counts before God. Are you a worshipper of the father or merely a devotee of a pastor or denominational system?
Do you have a vital intimate relationship with the father or you are simply just zealous in church? I don't care where you worship or what position you occupy in church; if you don't have a working relationship with the father through Jesus Christ, you have missed it all.
It's a good thing people are thinking this way. The church helps you and makes it easier for us to fellowship together, but in the end, we each have a PERSONAL relationship with our Father, through Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear. Little by little my FAQs(frequently asked questions)are been answered...in vs 22 he says you worship what know not but we worship what we know....this is so not about church but rather what I'd like to call, IDENTITY.its more inportant that u know ur God for urself
ReplyDeleteNice to hear. Little by little my FAQs(frequently asked questions)are been answered...in vs 22 he says you worship what know not but we worship what we know....this is so not about church but rather what I'd like to call, IDENTITY.its more inportant that u know ur God for urself
ReplyDelete