"Worship is a life given in obedience to God. It's not a when or where proposition, but a what. It's what we are. You can't go to it or leave it, dress for it or from it, and you can't start it or stop it." (Mike Root, Unbroken Bread, Publisher: College Press Publishing Co (June 1997, p115)

Can we worship anywhere and everywhere? Yes (John 4). But is everything we do worship? No. It is important we don't confuse the two questions. It makes a difference. Clearly, we can worship God anytime we choose. But it is important to understand that worship occurs at a time we choose. Worship has a beginning and an end.

Sadly, many today have taken up the mantra that everything we do is worship. Our lives are a nonstop worship service. Surely, one can see on the surface how ridiculous that must be. All of life is worship? Really? Including sleeping? Changing diapers? Exercising? Showering? Even when I am sinning??? Need I go on? What proves too much proves nothing at all.

Phrases like "going to worship" give these people headaches. Yet, such a phrase is clearly biblical. Note how Abraham told his servants, "We will go yonder to worship" (Gen. 22:5). Should Isaac have responded, "Yonder? Why, we are worshiping right this second! We are living a life given in obedience to God."

Those who insist that "all of life is worship" have gone to this extreme because they really do not like the idea of coming together collectively to worship God in spirit and truth. They would much rather worship at home in their own way and time. One truly can worship at home on their own time, but does this make the worship assembly with local brethren unnecessary? No (Heb. 10:25). There are aspects of collective worship that can only be accomplished at the assembly such as the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11) and our giving unto God Himself (1 Cor. 16:2). Yes, one could sing, preach, and pray at home, yet, there is more to their agenda than that. It is the complete undermining of authority in worship. For example, they could argue that since they are worshiping God when eating a meal at home or clapping at an event, then they would have the right to eat a "fellowship" meal in the building purchased with the Lord's treasury, or even clap during singing. Essentially, there are no rules/pattern for worship at all because "all of life is worship." How did they get to this theory?

This theory is the result of a failure to see the Biblical difference between "service" and "worship." All worship is service unto God, but not all service is worship. There is a distinction. Failing to see the distinction will weaken the church and its collective assembly when worship is seen as just as ordinary and normal, as everyday duties of life.

Romans 12:1 is the main verse used by those advocating that "all of life is worship." Here is the verse in two different translations.

You can see how confusion could enter based on two reputable and accurate translations. One version uses the word "service" the other uses the word "worship." The word in question is the Greek word latreia.

Strong's dictionary defines it as: 1. Service rendered for hire, 1a. any service or ministration: the service of God, 2. the service and worship of God according to the requirements of the Levitical law, 3. to perform sacred services.

Now, there are times where this word is translated worship. Certainly, worship is connected to service. But surely we know all service is not worship. For example Galatians 5:13: "For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Therefore, if service is always worship, what then do we do with this verse? It would advocate worshiping each other! Again, what proves too much proves nothing. The reality is, our lives are to be filled with acts of service to God. We are to be holy at all times, letting our light shine, be good citizens and employees, godly husbands and wives, fathers and mothers (Eccl. 12:13). These are the "affairs of life," but they are not worship. Thus, what shall we make of Romans 12:1? How are we to understand it? I can see why some do translate "latreia" as worship because of the obvious Levitical sacrifice parallel that is contextually present. To offer animal sacrifices was indeed worship to God in the Old Testament. Paul continued that Levitical thread of thought saying the New Testament sacrifice is our very lives. However, he certainly did not indicate every aspect of life is worship.

A host of problems begin if we believe all of life is worship. For example, if all of life is worship, like exercising, then why would Paul say exercising profits little? Worship profits little? Hmmm... how could some worship be better than other worship (1 Tim. 4:8)? If all of life is worship, then why would Job start worshiping God when he learned his children had died? Was he not already doing that with his life (Job 1:20)? If all of life is worship, then why would Uzzah die worshiping God when he touched the ark? Was he not just trying to serve God (2 Sam. 6:7)? If all of life is worship, then why would we need to redeem the time? Would not all time already be redeemed for a good thing, worship (Eph. 5:15-16)? Finally, if all of life is worship, when the angel told John, "Worship God," should John have responded, "I never stopped" (Rev. 22:9)?

The reality is that worship has a time element to it, involving a start and a stop. It is not ongoing.

"Abraham said to his young men, 'Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you'" (Gen. 22:5).

"So David arose from the ground, washed and anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house..." (2 Sam. 12:20).

"...For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him. ...And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him" (Matt. 2:2, 11).

In Matthew 8:2, 9:18, 14:33, and 15:25 it was said that people, "came to worship Him." From these verses it's easy to understand they weren't worshiping until they got to Jesus' presence. Further, here is conclusive authority to legitimately say one is "going to worship."

Peter wrote concerning the coming day of the Lord, "...what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness" (2 Pet. 3:11). My life, I gladly use in service to my Lord. My conduct and godly actions matter to my God (2 Cor. 5:10). But is all of my conduct worship? No. Worship is a special time in which I draw near in heart and mind to my God and offer scriptural acts of homage to Him. It may be done at home with the family. It may be done in a hotel room when away from home. It may be done on a mountain. We can always, and should always draw nigh to our God. However, we must draw near to Him collectively, in the church Christ built, and its pattern for worship must not be forsaken (2 Tim. 1:13, John 4:24, Acts 2:42, 1 Cor. 14:40).

- Truth Magazine, October, 2015