It’s not just who you know, it’s what you know…
“It is of great importance to note that our theology (belief about God) and doxology (our worship of God) should never be separated. It is not possible to worship an unknown God. All true worship is a response to the self-revelation of God in Christ and in Scripture. Worship without theology is bound to degenerate into idolatry. Hence the indispensable place of scripture in both public worship and private devotion. It is the word of God which calls forth the worship of God.”
John Stott
5 comments
That reminds me how Ray Comfort explains idolatry: when we worship a God of our own imagination. We create a false God when we think that God is all mercy or all justice or all love. We have to know who the God of the Bible truly is if we are to worship Him.
This reminds me of:
But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.
We need to ever be willing to allow the Lord to teach us and refine our understanding of Who He is. We don’t want to be setting up altars to “the unknown god”
On the flip side, it is important to remember that not all believers are in exactly the same place. Those who are more mature can and should correct those who have wrong understandings–but it needs to be done humbly and lovingly.
Good quote, Kelly.
This is such an inspiring quotation. Thank you for sharing, Kelly!
Blessings,
Luci
This reminds me of something I read in Kassian’s “The Feminist Mistake” just yesterday….
“But by changing the biblical symbols (from, for example, God as “Father” to God as “parent”), [feminists] altered and renamed God. This is a serious matter. For if feminism’s altered view of God is out of synchronization with who God really is, as He has revealed Himself, then it is not really God whom they are imaging and worshiping, and this is the idolatry the Bible condemns” (page 168, comment mine)
Not that feminists are the only ones guilty of “altering” their idea of God from the God of the Bible, but it’s certainly a prevalent altering of our time.
Love it! Few Christians realize that worship isn’t just singing to/about God. It is living our lives in a manner pleasing to HIM! We (and me) need to stop wasting time and live for Him alone!