The Privilege of Worship
Are You Taking it for Granted?
In many places around the world, Christians risk their lives just to gather and worship. Yet, in countries where we have the freedom to worship openly, many take it for granted. For some, attending worship has become a routine rather than a heartfelt desire to praise God. They go through the motions—singing without passion, barely listening to the message, and then returning to their worldly routines. Others put worship on the back burner, allowing sports, social events, or personal preferences to take priority. At its core, this is a heart issue.
Worship is Not About Us
Worship should never be about what we want—it is about God. Many have adopted a consumer mindset, seeking entertainment, comfort, or messages that cater to their desires. If a congregation doesn’t meet their expectations, they leave or stop attending altogether. But true worship is not about our preferences; it is about honoring and glorifying Christ. Jesus said:
"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
— John 4:23-24 (NKJV)
True worship comes from the heart—it is not forced, routine, or about personal entertainment. It is about giving God the reverence and praise He deserves.
The Blessing of Worshiping Freely
We often forget how blessed we are to gather freely. The early Christians faced severe persecution for their faith. Many today still risk imprisonment, torture, or death for assembling in secret to worship God. Yet, we have the privilege to meet openly without fear, and some still treat it as an afterthought.
The Hebrew writer urged Christians not to neglect assembling together:
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."
— Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV)
Gathering with the church is not optional for the faithful—it is a command and a privilege. If worship has become a chore for you, it is time to reflect on your heart.
A Time for Reflection
If you feel that worship has become routine or forced, ask yourself:
Do I attend worship out of love for God or out of obligation?
Am I worshiping in spirit and truth?
Do I allow distractions and worldly priorities to pull me away from gathering with the saints?
The psalmist wrote:
"I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord.’"
— Psalm 122:1 (NKJV)
Worship should be something we look forward to—not because of tradition, social interaction, or obligation, but because we desire to praise our Savior for all He has done for us. If your heart has grown cold toward worship, seek to rekindle your love for God. Read His Word. Pray. Reflect on His sacrifice. And remember, every opportunity to worship is a blessing—one we should never take for granted.
True joyful worship comes from the omniscient mind of Christ’s indwelling Spirit (i.e. New Wine) Who sovereignly reigns within the ‘new wineskin’ heart—true worship in Christ’s Spirit is not self-righteously forced, or a carnal-minded churchianity routine, or about Oholah and Oholibah’s Judeo-Xian musical entertainment. It is about reverent worshipful communion with the indwelling Spirit of God’s holy will, through unceasing intimate prayer. Awe-filled prayerful worship, like breathing, is something the wise virgins in Christ’s Bride inherently enjoy without ceasing. The democratic ‘old wineskin' hearted foolish virgins from Christ’s Bride are devoid of the Bridegroom’s ‘New Wine’ and therefore are unable to prayerful worship in the theocratic Spirit of God’s holy will. Remember, every opportunity that we decide to use for lukewarm Laodicean worship is a blessing—one we should self-righteously try very hard to never take for granted.