Seven Characteristics of True Worshippers

Trevor S Ferguson

October 29, 2016

Micah 6:6-8 (KJV)
⁶ Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?
⁷ Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
⁸ He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

James 1:22, 26-27 (KJV)
²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

²⁶ If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
²⁷ Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

INTRODUCTION

On any given Sunday morning, thousands of persons gather in churches across the world with the general intent to worship God. In addition, several others gather on Saturday mornings with similar intent, and many persons gather at various times during the weekdays in prayer meetings, bible study, youth services and various other church related activities. A major concern however, is that many of the persons who attend these various services are not demonstrating characteristics of true worshippers. Firstly, many have not had the full experience of New Testament salvation, including baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, and therefore, though sincere in their worship, fall short of what is required by God. Secondly, among those of us who have experienced full salvation, very often our attitudes and actions fall short of that expected of true worshippers. The prophet Micah saw a similar problem in Israel in the 8^th century BC. Israel had become prosperous, but corrupt. Although they continued to attend prescribed services in the temple, their sacrifices had become empty rituals. Needless to say, God was displeased.  James, writing in the first century AD, sought to address similar attitudes, which began to creep into the early church, during a period when the church faced pressures from both without and within.

The writings of Micah and James are clearly instructive to the today. If we put these principles in practice we will avoid many of the traps that leads to false, hypocritical worship and prepare ourselves for the eminent return of Jesus Christ. Today I will use the text from Micah and James to share with us seven characteristics of true worshippers. These characteristics are not to be considered complete or exhaustive, but will serve as a solid foundation as we seek to ensure that those us who take the time to gather in church services, will not be hearers only, but will in fact be doers of the word who offer true worship.

EXPOSITION

Characteristic #1: True worshippers act justly – i.e. we must be fair and honest in our dealings with others (Micah 6:8)

According to the Holman Bible Dictionary, justice has two major aspects. Firstly, justice is “the standard by which penalties are assigned for breaking the obligations of the society”, and, secondly, justice “is the standard by which the advantages of social life are handed out, including material goods, rights of participation, opportunities, and liberties.” Justice is therefore a standard for both punishment and benefits, although most persons think of justice mainly in its relation to punishment for wrong. For the Christian, we need to ensure that all ours actions stand up to the principles of justice. We must seek to do the right thing, and to do it all the time. Goods and services must be fairly distributed, giving to each person their due, and not abusing our positions of authority or privilege. This means giving a fair day’s work for a fair days pay, keeping our end of a contract and delivering goods and services on time. Honesty and integrity are also closely aligned with the principle of justice. If we are unable to do something we should say so, rather than making a promise or commitment for something we know we cannot fulfil.

Living justly also means that we are going to say no to back-door deals, and bargains that bypass proper procedures. This includes tax evasion, failing to pay appropriate duties on imported goods and breeches of intellectual property rights. The Christian is expected to live at a higher standard than the world. We can’t expect to exploit others, or be dishonest in our dealings, then turn up for worship and expect that God will find our worship acceptable!

Characteristic #2: True worshippers love mercy – i.e. we show genuine compassion and kindness to others (Micah 6:8)

Mercy in this context has been defined as “one’s consideration of the condition and needs of his fellowman” (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary). The act of mercy is performed by one in a position of strength for another who is weak or disadvantaged. The Christian then should show genuine compassion and kindness towards others. This means lending a helping hand to the sick and needy, giving to the poor and dispossessed, as well as helping those who are spiritually week, or those who have fallen and are in need of help. Too often we are cold, disconnected and unfeeling. Like the priest and Levite on the road to Samaria – many of us can walk by people in genuine need and we hurry on to carry out or religious duties.

God is saying to us today – take a step back and look around us – there are many people dying and in desperate need of help. We can’t just pass them by! We must take the time to stop and help!! True worshippers show compassion and concern for others.

Characteristic #3: True worshippers care for those who cannot care for themselves – i.e. we show benevolent love and care to people in need (James 1: 27)

This characteristic is based on James 1:27 which tells us that persons who practice true religion will visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction. In the patriarchal first century society, orphans and widows were particularly vulnerable because men were usually the only breadwinners. Persons who practiced true religion would ensure that this special category of vulnerable persons were cared for. It is noteworthy that the word used in this verse for visit is derived from the same root as the word for bishop. This implies that the care to be offered was not only material or monetary support but pastoral-like like care – ministering to their hurts, comforting them in their pain, understanding their struggles, as well as helping with their financial needs. True worshippers cannot neglect the care of those who are most vulnerable in our communities.    

Characteristic #4: True worshippers walk humbly – i.e. we humble ourselves daily before God in fear and reverence (Micah 6:8)

Humility can be defined as “the personal quality of being free from arrogance and pride and having an accurate estimate of one’s worth”, (Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary).

There is no place for haughtiness and self-righteousness in the church of God, yet today many Christians think of themselves as being overly important and that because of their acts of righteousness they are indispensable. The true worshipper, continues to recognize that we are unworthy of the mercy and grace that has been bestowed on us, and that if God should mark all our sins we would have no place in the kingdom of God.

Take note that James also reminds us that God resisteth the proud, but gives grace to the humble and also admonishes us to humble ourselves in the sight of God and he will lift us up. True worshippers walk humbly!

Characteristic #5: True worshippers are doers of the word and not hearers only (James 1:22)

Many churches are filled with persons who come to hear and to be stirred or even entertained by the word of God, but not many of the hearers go home and put what they have heard into practice. Many persons study the word or God and are intellectually stimulated by it, but fail to convert that interest or stimulation into practice. James reminds us that it is pointless to be only a hearer and not a doer of the word. The man that is a hearer and not a doer continues in his sin, but the doer of the word is blessed in his deeds. Let us also remember also the admonition of Samuel to Saul: To obey is better than sacrifice and to harken than the fat of rams. No amount of good deeds can take the place of true obedience. True worshippers are doers of the word!

Characteristic #6: True worshippers control their tongue (James 1:26)

James devotes almost an entire chapter (James 3) to dealing with the issue of the tongue, demonstration how important this aspect of our Christian walk is. The essence of his argument is that if we claim to be righteous but don’t control our tongue, we are just fooling ourselves. Numerous lives have been destroyed by an unrestrained tongue, as professing Christians spread gossip, lash out in anger, engage in harsh and unnecessary criticism, spend time murmuring and complaining, and passing judgment on others. As Christians let us remember to use our speech to encourage and uplift others rather that criticizing and tearing down. Let us all learn to control our anger and be always governed by the words of Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” The true worshipper controls his tongue!

Characteristic #7: True worshippers avoid all aspects of worldliness (James 1:27)

Worldliness may be defined as a way of living that is based on or governed by the principles, drives and philosophies of the world system. The world system is dominated by materialism, power and pleasure and is in constant antagonism with the kingdom of God. The worldly person adopts and accept the principles of the world system as normal, and accepts the pursuit of worldly pleasures as normal. Worldliness is the opposite of godliness; therefore, a true worshipper cannot embrace worldliness.

A true Christian cannot have as his main drive the pursuit of material possessions – You cannot serve God and mammon. God must have preeminence! Serve God. Use money (for righteous purposes).

True worshippers must choose carefully the places we go and the activities we participate in. We cannot be in church one Sunday and be parading almost naked on the streets, the next Sunday. This cannot be acceptable to God.

Finally, as true worshipper must take care of the way we dress and adorn ourselves. Our outward appearance should reflect our inward holiness, and should be guided by the principles of the word of God, rather than by the standards of the world. True worshippers keep themselves from being polluted by the world!

CONCLUSION

So today we have reflected on the characteristics of true worshippers. We have shown that the true worshipper acts justly, loves mercy, cares for those who cannot care for themselves, walks humbly, is a doer of the word, controls his/her tongue, and avoids all aspects of worldliness. This list is neither complete nor exhaustive, but is a great foundation on which to build. Additionally, we are being reminded that in order to be true worshippers, we must accept full New Testament salvation, through repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. I implore everyone within the hearing of my voice to practice true worship. Only then, can we be assured of salvation and be on our way to heaven.