I read constantly about those who are spiritual, but not religious. On the one hand, I understand where they are coming from. Dead formalism – worship that merely goes through the motions – is offensive at every level. But, we must be careful to not throw out the baby with the bath water.

The worship of God is a main response of God’s people throughout the Scriptures. It is embedded in the 10 commandments as a reflection of the very heart and nature of God. We must avoid dead formalism; we must not fail to unite heart and mind; but we must not fail to worship the living God in the beauty of His holiness.

Calvin maintained that “believers have no greater help than public worship, for by it God raises his own folk upward step by step.” (Institutes 4.1.5). Worship is not an option. It is an absolute necessity. It is foundational to our lives in the church. Through worship we offer praise and thanks to God who by the Spirit raises is up, step by step.

We worship every day of our lives as children of God. Our corporate worship should be a gathering of our individual worship throughout the week. If you want corporate worship to be alive, worship throughout the week with a vibrant, fresh worship. If you want to worship like that every day, then do not neglect corporate worship where we are lifted up by the Spirit, step by step. Let us worship God!