Understanding WORSHIP 1

@ new temple

Worship is a communication between divinity and humanity. In the Old Testament, worship,however, was an environmental phenomenon. It used to be a religious practise, rather than being a lifestyle. And this is why people kept committing sin after many sacrifices, and blood atonement. Worship was confined or limited to temples, mountains or specific geographical locations. Let me start with the era of Adam and Eve. Worship could only take place in the garden of Eden. This means that God had to come into the garden to communicate with Adam and Eve. Communication(the art of worship) between man and God was only feasible within the garden; no where else.
In the era of the Patriarchs, people could not worship God, except they went to a temple, a mountain or a building or certain places. Worship was limited to some environments. No wonder Jesus said to the woman of Samaria that the time is coming when people will neither worship at Jerusalem or mountain(John 4:19-23). That is, you will no longer have to go to a mountain, or a particular place before you can worship God. The old temple where men used to worship has been demolished because it could not save us, and a new temple has been built. The new temple is the new heart which is given to those who give their lives to Jesus. Jesus said now is the time when true worshippers are those who worship God in spirit and in truth(John 4:23). So, worship is now a thing of your mind connecting to God in the spirit through a communication which now extends to your actions. Hence, you can be anywhere anytime worshipping God because you now have a mobile and unlimited temple which is your heart. Therefore, keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life(Proverb 4:23). NIV says "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it", while HCSB version says "Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life". This scripture explains the fact that worship is no longer an environmental practise. It is now a life through the new heart(the new temple). Therefore, it is a waste of time, whether you worship at Christ Embassy, RCCG, CCC, CAC, Winner's Chapel, Assemblies of God or whatever denomination, if you don't have the new heart where there is worship in spirit and in truth. A heart that fears God and hates sin. Ezekiel 18:31: "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Until you build worship into a lifestyle, your righteousness ends withing the four walls.

- Michael Olugbenga Babalola