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Repentance Is Worship
worship God. We view repentance as prelude to real worship, as prerequisite for praise. Worship leader and songwriter Graham Kendrick sees repentance as central. REPENTANCE IS WORSHIP We do not always think of repentance as worship, but it can be much easier to sing a rousing hymn than to turn away from our favourite sin. A sinful act involves worship of the wrong kind, submitting ourselves at that moment to serve the appetites of our pride or lust, and so repentance is literally a transfer of our worship back to the One who rightfully owns it. . . . . Worship has been misunderstood as something that arises from a feeling which "comes upon you," but it is vital that we understand that it is rooted in a conscious act of the will, to serve and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. The feelings, the joy of having been forgiven, follow on as a consequence of our reunion with him. -- Graham Kendrick, from WORSHIP, Kingsway Publications, 1984, p.26. [Remember that repenting from sin is quite different from confessing sin. Repentance is turning, changing course. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy, and by your grace, help us to turn away from sin. Today, help us to turn toward you. Amen!] Have a great week, Chip Stam Pastor of Worship and Music Chapel Hill Bible Church Chapel Hill, North Carolina |