We live holistically under the grace of God. Either we are God-centered in all that we do, or we are not. If we are, then God’s words and ways are precious to us, and all of our living is offered in worship; if we are not, we are in rebellion against God, and nothing that we do is true worship. ~ D. A. Carson, Basics for Believers
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I really love this quote! It’s a concept that has become very dear to me. The idea that our worship is something that we should LIVE every day. 🙂
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Glad I came late to the party so I could read the clarification. But it makes sense to me that we should not be half-hearted believers or part-time believers. God wants all of us all the time, not part of us part of the time.
It is unfair often times to lift a quote out of context. Mr. Carson, in context, is alluding to the remarks of Paul to the Philippians regarding their sending Epaphroditus to him. Paul uses a unique word to relay his great appreciation for their messenger. We read, “he risked his life to make up for the help you could not give me,” but Carson points out it is better read, “he risked his life to make up for the religious service you could not give me.” He then links this word, “religious service” to “worship.”
We are left pondering just what did Epaphroditus do? Carson says, “…very little of what Epaphroditus brought Paul had much to do with Sunday morning at 11:00 A.M.”
To make this brief (if that is possible), Mr. Carson is telling his readers that we don’t come together to worship on Sundays; we simply bring into the room corporately what we’ve been doing all week long. Paul said it something like this, “In everything you do…,” well, you know how it goes.
Service with the right heart is worship. Giving with the right heart is worship. Loving with the right heart is worship.
Mr. Carson’s harsh words are meant to make us realize that we can’t live life selfishly and self-focused all week, then think we can just put on a new face Sunday morning and bring God worship… everything we do is offered as worship to Him, or rebellion against Him. It is of course only by grace that we become true worshippers, but we still have a responsibility to engage ourselves in that worship… in everything we do.
Blessings and thanks for all the comments. Hope this clears the air a little. Not that Mr. Carson needs defending by the likes of me. 🙂
Thank you for the clarification…it makes a tremendous difference to my addled mind to read from what he is drawing his conclusions. Where he was stepping from is totally different than what I was able to see from the quote. A very good lesson on context, context, context and why I should be quick to hear and slow to speak! Hmmmmmm. I do disagree with your final statement, though….the one that ends with “the likes of me”… For you have great resources…the mind of Christ, the Spirit as your tutor, and you have been graced from the Fathers storehouse with gifts of word smithing and exhortation.
I am confused by this passage…maybe more context would help…or a summary from you of what he is talking about…his mix of images and thoughts muddies the waters for me. If our identity is IN Christ, then aren’t we kept by Him, not us keeping Him? Jesus said that true worship is worshipping the Father IN Spirit and IN truth (tTrinity). That which is brought about by Him vs. that which is brought about by me, is true worship…and He inhabits weak, broken, humble vessels so that he will get the glory of the worship along with the worship. This is my hope. Not that I must perfectly worship, because I cannot, but that I can enter into the perfect relationship of the Father, Son, and Spirit who ARE perfect worship. I am thankful that “the Father seeks such to worship Him”…such as me…such as you. Humbly offered for consideration. And for my correction as needed, I am of slow ponderings.
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The best we can give is what we should give, there are days the Holy Spirit must intercede for me, as I am not “well God centered.”
Well said.
I struggle with statements like this, because I don’t know anyone who is “God-centered in all” that they do. Therefore, everyone is in rebellion against God, and none of can be said to be engaged in “true worship.” Not even Mr. Carson, I dare say.
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Thanks for that clarification. I have no problem with it, put that way. 🙂
Thank you for all that you do for the cause of Christ. You are a blessing.
Pastor/Equipping The Saints
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Many blessings to you also!