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 In
Col. 2:18-23 Paul condemns a type of worship called
"voluntary humility" (f.n. "of his own mere
will") or "will-worship”: The textual and exegetical
problems of this passage are many, and we will not go into them
here. But we are impressed by the obvious reference to
"worship" that is not truly worship at all, but a mere
satisfaction which the so-called worshiper may get from his
"show of wisdom, humility, and severe treatment of his
body." This is "will-worship."
There
are some who "glory" in the cloistered life of monk or
nun; some actually desire persecution, and contrive to bring it
upon themselves; or love worship for mere worship's sake. On the
surface they appear to be making great sacrifice "for the
Lord," when in reality they are satisfying their flesh.
Arbitrary religious acts, originating in the human will and for
fleshly satisfaction, have no place in true worship and
submission to God.
Nor
is "will-worship" something found only in ancient
Colossae. We frequently talk with people who seem to think that
if they like a certain type of music in
"worship" (from deep throated organ tones, to jazz
bands), God
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must surely be, pleased
with that. If dimmed lights and theatrical performances make them
"feel better" God must surely consider that
"worship." It is worship all right — but we are
serving (and kidding) ourselves. Such worship is "of
taste" not "of faith."
And
I wonder if we have given proper thought to what we are saying
when we talk about "enjoying" the singing?
"Rejoicing in the Lord" is not the same as jiving
with the song leader. Neither morbid piety nor foot-patting
rhythms should be our goal. If our singing — either stately
and sedate, or a Sunday morning imitation of real
"country-western"— becomes a mere satisfaction of
our musical tastes, we have degenerated into
"will-worship" and need to revise our thinking.
I
believe our selection of worship songs has degenerated, but
plugging for my taste in music would completely pervert
the purpose of this article. Instead, let us all forget what we
like in tune and rhythm, and concentrate on truly worshiping
God.
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