Purpose of worship 3 - seeking holiness 1

Dealing with sin was a critical part of Old Testament worship. Again, Jesus has made the ultimate atoning sacrifice for us which allows us to approach God fearlessly. Before we had to be ceremonially cleansed of defilement just to approach God, because you did not make any form of offering in an unworthy manor in those days. Now we can go to God directly for said forgiveness. Still, there is the matter of repentance, the New Covenant equivalent of atonement. Which is a change of heart as much as a change of actions, as Jesus himself revealed, our actions originate within our hearts. (Matthew 15:19) Seeking holiness is ultimately allowing God to cleanse and transform our wretched hearts by his grace and power, for there is no way we could ever do such a thing on our own. (Matthew 19:26-26) Is that how you approach it though? In many ways, I see believers trying to carry on as if we’re still under the old covenant. We get all fixated on our action and disregard the origin of said action, yet wonder why we constantly fail like the people of the Old-Testament. Then act as if we’re unworthy to approach God and try to clean ourselves up on our own as if grace does not apply to us, as if we can get back into God’s graces by refusing his grace. Where do we get such backwards thinking?

Remember, there is still the matter of confession. It was right there in the original list of the purposes of worship under the heading of holiness. Protestants often see this as a Catholic thing, but it is Biblical and still relevant under the New Covenant. (James 5:16) It has an accountability aspect that Protestants often miss out on in their church experiences.  Which can be very beneficial to personal growth. With that being said, true Biblical confession extends a little farther than even the Catholics take it. True confession is not just an admission, but an agreement. This can be seen in original Greek word for confession, which literally means “To say the same thing as.” Biblical confession is acknowledging that what God says about sin is true, that sin is harmful to the sinner, and your relationship with God. Plus there is also value in just being honest with God and yourself about your failings. (Luke 18:9-14) We cannot change or get to the bottom of what we refuse to acknowledge after all. This level of confession can eventually move us from doing things legalistically, to purposefully, and sincerely. True holiness is a sincere act of the heart, not an external whitewash. “This is your true and proper worship.”

Wherever you go, there you are.