Romans 11:33–12:2 (NKJV) — 33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” 35 “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen. 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Long Scripture…short commentary.
Cain and Able brought their sacrifices to God. One was accepted, and one was not.
Sacrifice in the Old Testament brought a pleasing fragrance to God. Today we still offer our sacrifice to God. Public worship is part of the sacrifice.
In John 4:23-24 Jesus speaks of true worship of God is in spirit and truth. We worship God in Spirit. Having accepted Christ as our Savior AND Lord we have the spiritual drive to seek an intimate communion and fellowship with God. The spiritual core of a Christian’s being is trusting and resting in God’s acceptance, love, and care.
There is only one way to approach God. This is through Jesus Christ. Those who do not have Christ do not have the ability on their own to worship God. To sincerely worship God is not halfheartedly with a mind on the world and also on God.
Hebrews 10:22–25-“22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Worship of God is very serious. Our hearts are to be true, full of the assurance of faith. Worship is totally focused on God. We are not to forsake the gathering together as believers in Christ.
Maybe this was not as short as I originally thought.