God in our worship
Key Bible Passages: Matthew 22v36-40
In Matthew 22 we read about the most important commandments. Love God, and love your neighbour. God has made it easy for us. He did all the work, purchasing our salvation on the cross. We don’t need to keep certain laws, or be sprinkled with blood. Jesus has washed our sins away, so now we can focus on loving Him, and then, because we love Him, we can love others.
The direction of our love is the most important commandment.
When we worship God, or when we love God, it’s all about Him, it’s through Him and it’s for Him.
What we worship is so important, because what we worship is what we spend most of our time thinking about and focusing on. God should be in every part of our worship, and by worship I mean love.
The great news is that God has given us help, even with this one simple command. He has sent the Holy Spirit. Replace the word worship with your job, subject at school or your favourite hobby. If you do those things, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you do them for God, that is worship. In Colossians 3:23 it says “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Whatever routine acts you do in your day or week with focus on God, that is worship. Using something like a small phrase like “my God” or “Jesus” can help to focus on God and let the Holy Spirit work through you.
When we truly love God, then we can truly love others.
It says in Matthew 25:37-40 “then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
40 “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
This passage helps us to understand the ‘loving your neighbour’ command. When we love others, we are actually loving God, which means we are worshipping God.
Unfortunately, if you’re anything like me, it’s easy to love yourself. Buying some new shoes, even though I have loads already, or taking the biggest slice of cake, or just being too busy for anyone else. We love ourselves when we think about us all the time. Jesus told us to love others, like we love ourselves. So when we give up the biggest slice of cake, or hold off on the purchase of shoes to buy someone else a gift, or give up our own space to help someone; we love them, and so love God.
You can’t not worship. You worship everyday! We are so designed to worship, that we can’t help it!
So direct your attention to God whatever you do today and choose to love others above yourself.
Questions
To help with further reflection, thought or application.
1: What phrase or thought can you use during this week to help you focus on God?
2: How can you love someone else this week above yourself?
Prayer
Jesus, we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit. we pray that you will help us to love you and worship you fully this week, whatever we do. And help us to love others around us, preferring them above ourselves. Amen
We’ve created an audio version of this devotional that can be listened to as a Podcast.