Two words that just don’t belong together.
There are a few words in the English language that don’t seem to belong together – most of the time we call those “oxymorons.” And most of the time, the pairing of those two words creates a humorous, disjointed connection. (i.e. jumbo-shrimp).
Let me throw the two words we spent time with yesterday (10/06/19) back together and see what response we get: Worship-War.
Now that should not evoke anything but dread and fear, because those two words are not only opposites – but directly contradict each other. Worship is the elevation of God alone – offering what we have because He is The I AM. Worship proves our love and devotion to our Creator, not because we think we can fully repay Him, but because we are thankful.
War is (mostly) about conquering, vanquishing, and/or eliminating. There is nearly always violence involved.
How in the world have we allowed those two concepts to coexist within the Church for so long?
The answer is simple: We have forgotten the Who and the Why that is the foundation for the We. Church has become all about the all-powerful “me.” Opinion has become our new Theology, the shaper of doctrine. It has become a sign of the times in the world, with the newest killer being the statement: “I’m offended.” War has become our mantra. We stand our ground for things we believe and are wiling to fight for to the death.
For centuries now worship has been a hill some will die upon no matter the casualties involved or the sacredness of what is being fought over.
Paul writes about how a Church, specifically the gathering of believers in Philippi can look like Christ even more than they already are in Philippians 2. One of the biggest warnings is against SELFISHNESS. (1Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.)
We must separate those concepts (Worship and War) from each other and no longer allow them to exist in the same breath. Worship is the elevation of God alone – not me. It is not about my comfort or preference or opinion. Cain and Able, seemingly on their own volition, gave what they had to God. God exists therefore man worships. We cannot get confused and turn that concept around.