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Key Verses:
"Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth." Ps. 96:9
Key Attributes:
God is holy and as such is awe-inspiring.
Key Issues:
- It is about who He is, as a holy and righteous God, that sets the standard, not our man-made regulations or practices.
- It is about following after Him, not what other people or churches are doing.
Key Focus:
What can we set apart to Him?
God looks for people who so acknowledge the magnificence of His holiness that they not only seek to line up all they do in accordance with who He is but they also set apart their very being to His glory so as to be identified with Him and His ways. These are people who recognize that the end does not justify the means. They realize the importance of following His ways in all they do. They want to so adorn themselves that they "make the teaching about God our Savior attractive" (Titus 2:10).
Implications for the Worship Leader:
- Inquire, probe and thoroughly investigate any trends to make sure they are truly of God. Anything that falls short of His holiness should be brought into account. Remember that the end does not justify the means. See Deuteronomy 13:12-18 and 17:2-7 for how serious of a matter this is to God. Though today we would not take the measures of dealing with offenses described in those verses, we do need to hold ourselves accountable and make sure we align with God.
- Do not allow any practice that fails to line up with God and His ways to take root. View it as a bitter poison that will destroy and divide. See Deuteronomy 29:18.
- Stress the need to come before a holy God on His terms. Guard against, however, giving any illusion that we come into worship on our own merits. Always hold up the cross of Jesus as the means by which we can approach a holy God. See Hebrews 9:1-14 and 10:1-14.
Implications for the Individual Worshiper:
- Begin by committing not only what you do to God but also your very life. Get to know Him so well that you are able to discern between worldly and godly activity and turn from what does not honor the Lord. In so doing, you will be worshiping Him. --"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God --this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is --his good, pleasing and perfect will" (Rom. 12:1-2).
- Be prepared for the possibility of being tested in your commitment to identify with Him and His ways. God may let other people, including your own family members, or false ideas and mistruths, cross your path to see if you will choose to identify and follow Him and His ways. See Deuteronomy 13:1-4, 6-8 for an example.
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