Religion, Faith and Worship - Are They the Same Thing? Part 2

In contrast to "religion" being mentioned a mere five times in the entire Old and New Testaments, "faith" and "worship" are each mentioned hundreds if not thousands of times, often as God's prelude to command us to worship Him.

Faith and true worship, and understanding who God can be to us, have nothing to do with the outward trappings of man-made denominational "religion." Faith and true worship must be in the heart.

About Faith

In arguing against God's existence, people often say, "I only have faith in what I can see." Yet, they've never seen the Big Bang happen, or seen an ape turn into a man.

In general, faith is believing in what we can't see...no different for belief in God than the Big Bang.

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, No eye has seen any God beside you,
Who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him (Isaiah 64:4).

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).

Despite many efforts to deny it, humans are spiritual seekers. From the beginning of time we've sought comfort in spiritual beings or objects representing them. We see it in cave drawings, parchment writings, temple remains, and modern houses of worship.

Some rely on crystals or statues to find strength and inner peace. Others seek to improve their karma and preserve one's essence. Many faiths are centered on getting to heaven through good works. Some folks believe in multiple gods. And some pray to a single God that others say isn't there.

Is this desire for spirituality a slip of the logical into the creative or imaginary? What triggers this or puts the craving inside us? Is there really an "empty place" inside that can only be filled by a Divine Presence?

Sales of books like "The Purpose Driven Life" and the "Left Behind" series wouldn't go through the roof if people weren't searching for a spiritual center. Doctors say their religious patients are healthier. Even Good Housekeeping Magazine has cited research which found people who have spiritual beliefs experience less depression and anxiety than others, and those who pray are 50 percent more likely to live longer.

On the other hand, if a person trusts God, does that make them weak? What is faith if it doesn't believe in something by courage? We can't see God like we can see our house, our cars, or our stash of hurricane supplies. But as past natural disasters have proven, those things can be gone in a flash.

God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1). This basic message, found many times in both the Old and New Testament, has lasted in peoples' hearts through centuries, storms, fires, and wars. Unfettered by interpretations, vilifications, denominations and regulations, faith can be our greatest hope.

About Worship

People may tend to think of "worship" as only the musical part of a church service. Worshipping God means everything we do in His name is for Him. Listening to a sermon, singing, praying, reading the Bible or accompanying scripture-guided books; whether giving our money or our time to the church, overseas missions or neighborhood charity work; visiting sick people, running errands for someone-when we do them for the Lord, these are all forms of "worship."

The Hebrew and Greek words for worship generally translate to forms of the words "bow down."

By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity a word that will not be revoked: Before me every knee will bow; by me every tongue will swear (God speaking, Isaiah 45:23).

It is written: As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God (Romans 14:11).

What's not worship? It's okay to memorize words and repeat observances, but if they're not heartfelt, God says it's not worship.

Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations - I cannot bear your worthless assemblies (Isaiah 1:13).

Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you(Jesus speaking, Matthew 7:20-23).

We can speak to God without formalized, fancy words and without memorization. We can cry out to Him in our own words, whether in desperation or happiness. He wants that!

Jesus' words in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), I believe, can be a word-for-word design, or just a format for us to follow. He might have meant just to be sure we include all those steps:

-Praising (acknowledging) Him for who He is;
-Asking for what we need daily without greed;
-Praying that we are as forgiving to others as He is with us;
-Asking that He protect us from giving into sin;
-And lastly, acknowledging that all this is for His kingdom.

In words now famous from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life, it's not about us.

Want to know more? Check out the end of Part 1, where you can get the good news of getting to know the Lord, and how to order Sheryl's book about Christians and Jewish people having a better relationship together.

Verses used herein are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Disclosure of Material Connection: http://cmp.ly/0 - this writer has no connection to, and has not received any compensation for, mentioning works by other authors herein.