I do not typically read from the NLT, but this morning a verse was in my inbox:
Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. ~ 1 Peter 3:15, NLT
This is not how I remember the verse, but it did raise a question in me.
What does it mean to worship? Sure, I am supposed to worship Christ as the Lord of my life, but I have not considered what that should look like--I just figure that I do.
I know that I can spend time in worship--deliberately dedicating my attention to loving God. And I do. Singing praise, words of adoration, time in prayer...are these worship?
I think so. But is that all worship is??
I also make choices based on His Word. I do things I'd rather not do because I know He wants me to do it. Is this obedience worship? I think of it as showing honor--the same way I would honor my parents. I have no real experience with monarchy, but I'd like to think that I follow God in the same manner that I'd follow a beloved king. Respect, honor, dedication, obedience...are these worship?
I do not know.
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Feeling better after reading 1 Peter 3:15 in the other versions.
NASB: but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
That sounds more familiar. Santify is to set apart, to make holy. This fits better with my picture of both worship and honor.
Someday, when I've run out of things to do, I want to again try to learn Greek and Hebrew, to study the Bible through fewer translations. That would show honor and it could be a form of worship...and, in reference to the rest of 1 Peter 3:15, I'd be better able to 'defend my faith' or 'account for my hope' with gentleness, fear, reverence, meekness, respect, courtesy...
