Living In Faith And Worship

By Angel Dudley


Faith and worship are linked by the fact that both are ways of remaining attached to God. It is when one worships that he sends his supplications to God and receives blessings in return. Changes in the society have lead to mutation of the terms and practices as they were done in the Old Testament. These are the foundations of any Christian belief. They form the basis of prayer sessions.

The Old Testament is the origin of this practice which is closely linked to sacrifice. The belief in a supreme God calls the faithful to make sacrifices for various reasons. It is the priests who lead in these occasions because of their privileged place in the society. Sacrifices came in three forms and were offered on occasions to appease God.

Burnt sacrifices demanded that the entire offering be consumed in fire. Smoke from the fire rose to the heavens as a sign that God had accepted the prayers of the people. God demanded that people sacrifice the best of their produce for Him to see the pure intentions in their hearts. Other additions to the table of sacrifice included cereals, tithes, drinks and fruits.

Each sacrifice indicated how people related with God. Some were demanded while others were rituals. The Deity demanded the best produce especially after harvest as an indication that He is the source of all good. People offered without hesitation because they recognized God as the source of all good. Everything would be consumed by fire at the altar. Not even the priests were allowed to taste.

Sin is the other reason why individuals or the community was required to make sacrifices. This is different from the first offering because some of it was left aside for the priest. Priests were representing God on earth and could therefore claim a share. This was a cleansing ritual that would shield the community from evil. An individual who made the sacrifice would be accepted back.

Offerings made for peace carried with them a number of components. They were offered in thanks giving, as a fulfillment to a vow or as private devotion. There was no obligation as to what a person could offer in this case. The guiding principle was that the lamb being offered should be without blemish. Because of the type of offering, people were welcome to share.

The Christian concept of worship has mutated over the years to adopt new trends. Sacrifices are in form of cash, assets and other commodities. They also come in the form of fasting and prolonged prayer for thanks giving or forgiveness of sins. These are the ways Christians show that they have faith in God.

The greatest form of faith and worship is living a righteous life in obedience to the commandments of God. Good deeds like generosity or charity rise up the skies like the smoke of the sacrifices made in the Old Testament. There is an element of cost in worshiping which shows sacrifice or surrender. This is the essence of fasting.




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