With the efflux of time, worship had adorned the garb of diverse connotations. It is becoming more and more skewed and misunderstood, so much so, that the youth growing up in this new type of hype is totally ignorant of what true worship is. The erroneous upbringing, ignorance of the scriptures, living up to the Jones, and swarming in the ways of the world have surprising manifestations in adulthood. We grow up in the belief of ‘I am fine and God is fine’. Worship by many is now construed as entertainment; the preachers behave like they are idols to their following; some gather to show off their dresses, makeup, etc; women have changed places to become pastors and preachers; some treat it as a gossip centre, yet there are some who come together to praise and glorify the Master.
The problem with modern worship is not the songs, but the fact that they have moved from worship to entertainment. Many churches are filled with loud music and raised hands. Some even resemble rock concerts with the genre of rock music. There are all sorts of musical instruments from guitars to drums to cymbals to orchestras. The people behave and sing like rock stars. This form of pseudo-worship is at best a glorification of the rock stars and of course the prince of this world - satan.
The preachers prance on the pulpit like great leaders such as Stalin, Benito Mussolini, Hitler, etc. who mesmerize their following. They rave and rant, jump, and dance as one possessed. The members love it and are carried away by this hype. The scriptures are forgotten “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31. The glory that should go to God, is sadly usurped by man. To top it all, women and women pastors stand on the pulpit with their heads uncovered and teach man from the Word of God, knowing fully well, that the same Word from which they teach man, forbids them to do so. “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.” I Timothy 2:12. The self-glorification knows no bounds.
Self-glorification has more aspects. Many come to the church dressed in designer clothes with sparkling cars. They say that they are more equal than others. The ladies are dolled up and scantily dressed. In the eyes of the Lord, all are equal, but in the eyes of their master, the devil, they are pseudo-unequal and above others. Galatians 3:28 clearly states “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Those who are more unequal than others are certainly not with the Lord, but most likely with satan.
Despite all this, there is a lot who go to the Lord with a contrite spirit, kneel down with folded hands, crying for all those who have gone astray. They solicit the grace and compassion of the Lord, gives thanks, and direct all their praise to the Great ‘I Am’. Just as he comes, he quietly exits, ready to lend a helping hand to all who falter and fall.
At the end of the day let us apply the litmus test to find out if our worship is in the right direction.
• Does it glorify God? If not then who is the worship glorifying?
• Does it build up the body of Christ?
• Does it help us do the will of God and be what God wants us to be?
• Does it have spiritual results in our lives?
• Does it help us to get our crown?
www.laddertoheaven.co.in
Dr Ashwin Drummond