A Man Without Worship
And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner? 1 Peter 4:18 NASB
Godless man – Peter calls these people “godless” and “sinners.” “Godless man” is the Greek word asebes. It literally means, “without worship,” but the general sense of the word is “contempt for established orders.” This is a person who does not honor God’s authority or majesty and who actively pursues life without acknowledging the order that God brings to the world. In this regard, Peter can only mean a man who resists and rejects Torah. Suddenly Peter’s comment is far broader than our usual definition of “not saved.” This word has nothing to do with going to church. Worship is not a place. It is a state of mind. I can go to church every week and never worship even though I sing the hymns and say the prayers and pay my tithe. Unless worship is an attitude of life, I will be a godless man. And Peter’s use of asebes tells me that I am not a worshipping man if I do not accept the Lord’s instructions about life’s order.
What is an attitude of worship? It is the attitude that life does not belong to me, it belongs to God. He is the One Who is in charge of my existence. So, I need to fit into His program instead of trying to get God to fit into my plans. How many times have we approached situations by praying, “God, help me make my plans come to pass”? Do you see that this is an attitude that begins with me at the center? How different it is to pray, “God, help me act in ways that advance your purpose.” There is no better example of an attitude of worship than the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane – “Nevertheless, not my will but Your will be done.”
The godless man is the man who thinks that God helps those who help themselves, and therefore he helps himself to all that lies before him. The godless man is the man who thinks that being good is good enough. The godless man is the man who thinks that love is expressed toward those you like. The godless man is that man who worries first about himself and his plans. He might appear to be religious. He might say the right words. He might even claim to love God. But the truth is in the behavior. A man of God lives life with an attitude of awe, reverence and respect for God and the instructions God gives for his life. Everything becomes a reminder of God’s grace. It is the life of humility, practice and surrender.
Much of our world is godless even in its religious proclamation. The world preaches a religion of power to the people, power to the church, power to the project or the cause. Wherever God is not the focus of our power, we brush against godless men.
“Father, forgive us for abusing the life you have given us by thinking it is our right to do what we please. Show us how to be godly in our attitudes toward life and all that life has to offer. Bring us into conformity with Your Word that by great effort we might be delivered.”
Topical Index: godless, asebes, worship, Torah, 1 Peter 4:18
– I especially liked the pun in the sentence – therefore he helps himself to all the “lies” before him ….. because the godless man is usually full of lies…..
So well said, Skip. Reminded me of the the song “Heart of Worship”. I used to sing this song differently before being awakened to Torah. Based on the definition of asebes, I would have been defined as a “without worship” worshipper, because I was not honoring His ways. Father forgive me, and let me walk in Your ways, and be a true worshipper.
When the music fades and all is stripped away
and I simply come.
Longing just to bring something that’s of worth
that will bless Your heart.
I’ll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself
is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear,
You’re looking into my heart.
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
when it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.
King of endless worth, no one could express
how much you deserve.
Though I’m weak and poor, all I have is Yours,
every single breath!
I’ll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself
is not what You have required.
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear,
You’re looking into my heart.
I’m coming back to the heart of worship
and it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it
when it’s all about You, it’s all about You, Jesus.
How often have we heard that God helps those who help themselves? Completely the opposite of what God desires from us. He wants us dependent on Him and doing His will without to much question.
That one little statement has derailed many from seeking God and perpetuating self on the throne!
Is it “all about Jesus”? Is he the One who searches my heart, deep within? Is Yeshua the One I’m to worship, and not YHVH? This no longer makes sense to me, especially if Yeshua came to bear witness to the truth about God.
I’m grateful this community allows each of us the freedom to express where we’re at.
L’Shana Tova to all!
Hi Marci – I think a number of us are asking the same questions. What does it mean to worship Yeshua? And is “worship” only for YHVH?
I think our questions are rooted in the trinity doctrine, especially the way it is currently expressed in the church. We think that if Yeshua isn’t YHVH, we can’t worship Him. Yeshua doesn’t have to be the second person of the godhead to be worthy of my worship. He is worthy of my worship because He reigns. He is King by virtue of the authority given by YHVH. I think He can be divine and worthy of worship without of necessity being deity.
“Worship” music has probably helped with the confusion. Many (if not most or all) of our popular “worship” music has intertwined the trinity idea in such a way that it is virtually impossible to see Yeshua as anyone other than God. There was a time in my memory (maybe in the 1970’s) that “praise music” was primarily scripture verses set to tune. These verses might have had some redeeming value with repetition, simply because people learned scripture. But somewhere along the line, it became trendy once again for people to write “original” lyrics. That might have been fine if we’d all had the heart of David, but lilting tunes, romanticism and English rhyme became the order of the day. In the end, too many compositions were just songs designed to artificially induce emotional highs and lows. I will acknowledge that some songs might actually be praise – and I am sure that it pleases God to hear us praise Him — but worship? We long to get back to the heart of worship, because it’s not about singing nice choruses, including the ones which acknowledge that longing.
Rest assured, you aren’t alone in your questions — we are all treading the learning curve here. 🙂
Right on! Thanks Suzanne. Can’t wait to be with you in February for the conference in Fresno.
Dear Suzanne ~
Thank you for your most helpful comments, and for the encouragement.
At the end of your message to me, you used the words, “Rest assured”. You have no idea how much that is ministering to me. I haven’t had much peace (or rest, let alone assurance) since I embarked on this deconstruction of incorrect believing, and often find myself nervous and hesitant to believe much beyond YHVH and Torah. Years of false teaching has left me a bit paralyzed.
I remember, with fond affection, the years of singing Psalms, and other praises. I was attending ‘The Vineyard’ in those days, having come out of a stern, legalistic, Baptist upbringing. Frankly, those years at the Vineyard, and in a small kinship group, were the sweetest, most tender times. It wasn’t until then that I began to know that God loved me. For one year, everytime I woiuld walk into the sanctuary (an old warehouse), the tears would start to flow. I wondered if they would ever stop. There was a lot of forgiving and healing taking place im my heart. I’m still so grateful for those years and actually miss what seemed like the nearness of God. I hope it was.
Now, when I find myself singing an old hymn, or one of the praise or worship songs from the 70’s and 80’s,(music is like oxygen for me), I often stop mid sentence when I realize I’m singing falsehoods. It causes me sadness and I realize it’s been nearly 2 years since I have sung spontaneously, with ease and joy. In prior years, my prayer times would often be singing to God, to Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit. It was all Trinity confusion, but I’d like to think now that I was somehow offering acceptable song to YHVH. I don’t know.
I hope in this new year that I will be granted new songs in my heart, to lift up joy and wonder, freely and without hesitation, to The King of the Universe.
Thank you again Suzanne, for taking time to speak to my heart.
Shanah Tovah!
Marci
“I often stop mid sentence when I realize I’m singing falsehoods. It causes me sadness and I realize it’s been nearly 2 years since I have sung spontaneously, with ease and joy. In prior years, my prayer times would often be singing to God, to Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit. It was all Trinity confusion, but I’d like to think now that I was somehow offering acceptable song to YHVH. I don’t know.”
Marci, I completely understand what you’re saying. I struggle with this, too. I’m still trying to figure out what is truth and what isn’t. I was talking with God this morning about how it seems like I’ve lost the “joy of my salvation.” That the delight and wonder and joy of being in God’s presence is shadowed by the uncertainty and confusion I feel about things like the trinity. So I pray for truth.
Thank you Amanda~ (Suzanne, I hope you see this post too)
I’m praying for both of us, that even while we’re in this particular spot in our journey, questioning how we’re to relate to Yeshua, and searching for answers, that YHVH will give us delight and joy to give back to HIM.
Something quite spectacular happened for me last night. I don’t know who (maybe you, maybe Suzanne, maybe others in the community prayed for me), but after Rosh Hahanah dinner last night, my daughter had gone to bed, and lo and behold, song came forth and I sang to YHVH for quite a long time. Don’t know if it was worship, but it was definitely communion. I’ve been humming some today too. I can’t stop thanking God.
Thank you to anyone else who prayed for me. After 2 years and many tears being unable to sing freely to The Most High, I set one post to this community regarding my deeply missed ability and longing to sing to God, and just hours later, songs from my heart came forth. THAT IS AMAZING!! Looks like I am inscribed for a good year. woot hoot!
Blessings!!
Marci
That is the right stuff, Marci!! I couldn’t sing until just recently, either. I really got frustrated and asked to have everything that was keeping me from being able to have music to Him from the heart removed or healed, and it has been amazing! Now the music has become a big part of my life. Just me, and Him, and singing the Word. Ask for it all! Sorry, but this subject has been resonating with me all day, and then you gals just started in on it. Ditto to all of what you all were saying. Don’t let me interrupt!
Marci – who prayed for you? Read your post from 9/24 — YOU asked the Lord and He heard you. We just stood in agreement. 🙂
Hallelu Yah! I love hearing this! Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Hi Marci and Amanda —
I would bet that you have a song in your heart, that isn’t audible and maybe doesn’t even have words, but it’s a song and it’s only between you and YHVH. And it’s beyond beautiful to Him.
I’m reminded of a time when I was singing out loud a scripture song of praise. I was really belting it out and my heart was full of praise for God, and I suddenly realized, I don’t have a good voice. I can carry a tune but my voice isn’t the kind of voice everyone wants to hear. LOL. Anyway, I stopped singing and I remember saying a little prayer of misgiving “Lord, I wish I sounded like Sandy Patty or anyone who can sing their heart out.” And what I heard very softly in my heart was “You sound like Sandy Patty, to me.”
I think we all have a song in our hearts that is just for His ears. Stop and sit quietly. I think you will hear your song. No words, maybe not even a tune, but it’s a song. It’s not something we can or should reproduce for others. But I think that perhaps someday those songs will come together and we will all hear them together, as the symphony they are right now to Him.
Thank-you, Suzanne, this is helpful as I sort out some things which have been troubling me.
Wow… This is the same question I’ve been asking lately. Much of it started with the whole “trinity” discussion… but I’m left wondering a lot about Yeshua. Are we to worship him for his death and resurrection, for rescuing us from the kingdom of the enemy and through whose sacrifice we (gentiles) are brought into God’s family? Or is that blasphemous because we are to worship God alone? I’ve spent some time recently trying to see if there is anything in the Bible about this, but mostly I see “We praise God, who through Yeshua…”
Which makes me ask, what does it mean “through Yeshua we have…”?
And while we’re at questions… Are gentiles beloved, like Israel, if we are brought into His family? Are we part of this “Bride” (Bride of Yeshua or Bride of God)? Or are we a little lower than Israel because we are not the original called out ones? Does God love me as much as His original children?
So many questions. It would be lovely to have answers. 🙂 But I suppose that part of life is the search.
just an FYI…I have found the group “Sons of Korah” to be excellent praise music…they sing the Psalms only…good stuff. Found them on iTunes.
Thanks Sandy — I’m familiar with their music and it’s very nice, but it’s still a performance. I think that’s where we’re missing it. It’s vicarious praise when we’re listening to someone else’s performance, no matter how heartfelt for them or moving for us. I don’t think there is anything wrong with listening to performances and singing along. I know there are times when I find myself singing a phrase over and over of some music (not always Christian) that has lodged in my brain. Often, when I stop and think about the words, they are the answer to my prayer. Was that God, or was it my subconscious grabbing onto a phrase and it just took a while for me to hear it? And if the latter, was that God, too? I don’t know. I’m not discounting the role of music in communication with the Lord, but I am cautioning us not to fall into the current thinking that a musical performance, in or out of church, by “Christian artists”, is always praise and worship. I think there is a potential for praise in those settings when our heart joins in and sings to Him, but the nature of the performance venue alone — be it church or concert stage — provides great opportunity for self-deception.
yes it’s a performance but there are times when by myself that their performance becomes the avenue by which I can really enter into praising Him and He comes and fills my secret place with His presence.
Suzanne, what you have to say is always thoughtful and helps me. I have wondered sometimes, if we lined up all the ‘performances’ of music ever sung on this earth, if what the martyrs sang would not leave the rest of it behind in the dust. As Skip says so much; “context – context”!