[207 words]
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our ‘God is a consuming fire'” (Heb. 12:28-29).
This description of acceptable worship begins many verses before with a very impressive list of descriptors for God’s dwelling place, then God, then Jesus, and then the power of His will through His voice. Two instructions are given to those who “have come to” Him: “See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks” and “let us…worship God acceptably.” We get the idea, then, even before it is stated, that our attitude about worship should be that of thankfulness, reverence and awe. But is that what we do? At best, we race off to church with the same flippant attitude and little thought as wanting to make a hair appointment on time. While there, in God’s dwelling place among “the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven,” our minds are on our stresses and schedules. But our “God is a consuming fire,” we are reminded, and if God calls some worship “acceptable,” then there certainly is unacceptable worship.
How do you approach God to worship Him?
Doug Kashorek
Plattsburgh church of Christ
Plattsburgh, NY