You have probably heard someone use the term “worship service” at some point. We often say something like “let’s go to church,” or “after worship is over…” or something like that. Most people understand what these phrases mean, but we as Christians ought to be aware of a potential danger. While God’s people gather together often for worship, the act of glorifying God does not end with the final “amen” on Sunday. When Christians “leave church” by walking out of a building, they do not leave behind their identity as the body of Christ. They are still His people on Monday morning, at work, at school, in their homes, and everywhere else they go. Living in the presence of God as His people is not confined to a particular place or a specific time. Instead, we aspire to live a life that glorifies God constantly, in everything we do and say. If God is our King, He reigns in our hearts, even on Mondays.
We often set aside moments to enter into a reverent worship of God. Whether it is praying with God’s people, partaking of the Lord’s Supper, or praising God in song, these things are part of the worship we offer to God. In addition to these things that we often consider “spiritual” acts, Christians ought to live in a way that reflects the character of God to the world. As the crown jewel of His creation, God said concerning humans, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Gen. 1:26). This gives humanity an important responsibility to take seriously. How could someone claim to genuinely worship God as a part of His people in His presence on Sunday, while acting in a way that is far from God’s character the rest of the week? What kind of message does that send to those observing Christianity when they associate the behavior of the so-called “Christians” with the image of Christ Himself?
Paul says in Col. 3:17, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” Doing all in the name of Jesus involves living according to His authority and for His glory. This includes what we say, where we go, what we look at, what we listen to, what we watch, who we hang out with, and how we spend our time. In Gal. 2:20, Paul makes the famous assertion that because of his transformation in Christ, he no longer ruled his own life, but Jesus was living through Paul. Can we look at who we are throughout the week and say the same about ourselves?
Many people in the world believe their relationship with God is based merely on meeting with His people once or twice a week for a worship service. When we give our lives to Christ, Christ lives in us. He does not enter once or twice a week for an hour; He is reigning in our hearts, transforming us by the Spirit. While meeting together with God’s people is essential to being part of His body, that is only part of the Christian walk. Jesus says, “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). We are called to a life of good works, not a life of occasional worship. This is the life that brings glory to God! Meeting with God’s people routinely is necessary. Time spent worshipping God with reverence is of utmost importance. However, if we box these principles into certain times and locations, then we have lost the point of our changed lives in Christ. Christ has redeemed us so that He might live in us. We do not live mostly for ourselves–our careers, fun, hobbies, friends–and give Christ the leftovers of our lives. We live for the glory of God and the building up of His church. Glorifying God is something we do with our entire lives. This kind of life brings glory to God, Sunday through Saturday. Let’s fulfil our mission daily as image bearers of our Lord, living in a way that brings glory to Him.
—Joshua Brown