Cultivating Worship and Devotion Through God's Character
Cultivating worship and devotion is deeply rooted in understanding and responding to God's character. This cultivation involves a holistic commitment of one's entire being to God, grounded in His attributes and actions [1].
Devotion to God is characterized by saints and exemplified by Christ, as seen in Jesus's declaration that His food was to do the will of His Father (John 4:34) [1]. This devotion is grounded in God's mercy (Romans 12:1), His goodness (1 Samuel 12:24), His divine call (1 Thessalonians 2:12), the atoning death of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:15), and the realities of creation, preservation, and redemption (Psalm 86:9; Isaiah 46:4; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) [1]. Such devotion should encompass one's spirit, body, members, and substance, and it ought to be unreserved, abounding, and persevering (1 Corinthians 6:20; Romans 12:1; Luke 14:33; 1 Thessalonians 4:1) [1].
Holiness is a core aspect of God's character and a standard for human conduct. God commands holiness (Leviticus 11:45; Ephesians 5:8), and Christ desires and effects holiness in His people, serving as its ultimate example (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 7:26) [2]. The gospel itself is described as the way of holiness (Isaiah 35:8), and it is necessary for worship and for seeing God (Psalm 24:3-4; Hebrews 12:14) [2]. Believers are elected and called to holiness, and they are newly created in it (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4; 4:24) [2]. The transforming work of God's Spirit is integral to this gift of salvation, expressing God's life within the believer [6].
Worship also involves specific virtues that reflect God's character. Humility is necessary for serving God and is exemplified by Christ (Micah 6:8; Matthew 11:29) [4]. Those who possess humility are regarded, heard, and delivered by God, enjoying His presence and receiving more grace (Psalm 138:6; Isaiah 66:2; James 4:6) [4]. Diligence is also required in seeking God, obeying Him, and striving for perfection, as well as in cultivating Christian graces and guarding against defilement (Hebrews 11:6; Deuteronomy 6:17; Philippians 3:13-14; 2 Peter 1:5) [3].
Furthermore, Christian conduct, which flows from God's character, involves believing, fearing, loving, following, and obeying God (Mark 11:22; Deuteronomy 6:5; Ephesians 5:1) [5]. It also entails believing in, loving, following the example of, and obeying Christ (John 6:29; 21:15; 13:15) [5]. This includes living righteously and godly, walking honestly, and speaking the truth in love (Titus 2:12; Ephesians 4:15) [5, 8]. True worship occurs as God's Spirit reveals God's truth to the worshiper, with Jesus Christ being the Truth (John 4:24) [7]. The ultimate purpose for which God's people live is to bring glory and praise to God [9, 10].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 4:24: 4:24 in spirit and in truth: One Greek preposition governs both words (literally in spirit and truth) and makes them a single concept. True worship occurs as God’s Spirit reveals God’s truth and reality to the worshiper. Jesus Christ is the Truth (14:6; cp. 14:17; 15:26).”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:15: speaking the truth--Translate, "holding the truth"; "following the truth"; opposed to "error" or "deceit" (Eph 4:14). in love--"Truth" is never to be sacrificed to so-called "charity"; yet it is to be maintained in charity. Truth in word and act, love in manner and spirit, are the Christian's rule (compare Eph 4:21, Eph 4:24). grow up--from the state of "children" to that of "full-grown men." There is growth only in the spiritually alive, not in the dead. into him--so as to be more and more incorporated with Him, and become one with Him. the”
- Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:11: 1:11 Righteous character cannot be produced by human effort; it comes only through the Spirit of Christ working in people’s hearts. • Glory and praise to God is the ultimate purpose for which God’s people live (see Eph 1:6, 12, 14).”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 1:11: 1:11 Righteous character cannot be produced by human effort; it comes only through the Spirit of Christ working in people’s hearts. • Glory and praise to God is the ultimate purpose for which God’s people live (see Eph 1:6, 12, 14).”