As has been revealed beginning in John 3, to be transformed from a worshipper of self into a worshipper of God takes an act of supernatural grace. To be a worshipper of God is not the natural default outcome of anyone’s life. And to be ever more humbled, consider how many people are completed devoted to their false religion, whether that is in the name of Jesus or some other name. In reality, every facet of their devotion and every minute they give to worship their false god is a complete waste of time and counts for nothing, except furthering their deceived spiritual state. Of course, we would be engrossed in some perverted worship as well, were it not for the grace of God regenerating our hearts. That makes being a true worshipper of God an immeasurable privilege, but with great privilege comes much responsibility.

That responsibility comes into clearer focus when we realize that all of life is worship. In fact, one of the greatest passages on worship in the NT is Rom. 12:1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Being renewed constantly in God’s truth is explicit in that text, but what is implied is that we will need the Holy Spirit to accomplished anything that glorifies God. Reason being what hinders worship is refusing to present our lives to God, and instead holding onto our lives in order to fulfill our own desires and purposes. Furthermore, a conformity or love for the world hinders worship for to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God according to James 4.

Jesus said: A true worshipper must worship in spirit and truth.

Therefore, we are not to be guided by our emotions to determine what is genuine or not. Nor do we have the ability in ourselves to be a worshipper of God. We were created by God to worship God and we need God to worship God.