When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
(Isaac Watts)
Worship Beyond Words (Part II)
LYRICS (Click to minimize)
When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride
Forbid it Lord that I should boast
Save in the death of Christ my God
All the vain things that charm me most
I sacrifice them to His blood
See from His head His hands His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing so divine
Demands my soul my life my all
Source: SongSelect
Songwriters: Isaac Watts
© Public Domain
CCLI Song #3296590 | CCLI License #632898
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20 (ESV)
This week, we continue our meditation on what worship truly means to us. What does it mean to be living sacrifices, living a life of worship?
It becomes especially difficult to imagine a life of worship when our understanding of worship is so limited and separated from the rest of our theology. What does worship have to do with everything else we believe? If our worship is an independent activity, divorced from the rest of who God is and what He has done, then it is futile and will inevitably lose its meaning!
Worship is essentially tied to Creation. We are all creatures, created by One Creator, meant for the purpose of worshiping and glorifying Him! We are the outpourings of the Creator’s love, meant to echo His song of love.
Worship is essentially tied to theology – the knowledge of God Himself. The more we know God—not merely know of God—the more we are able to worship Him. Worship is not done for its own sake, but is a response to the immaculate and holy perfections of our God!
Worship is essentially tied to salvation. We are saved not merely for us to “live good lives,” or “go to heaven,” but to worship God! We are called out of darkness to do just so – to worship God. The very reason we are saved is to enter back into the communion and worship of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are called children of God now, that we may delight in Him and worship Him forever.
With the importance of worship, and its indelible connection to the rest of our beliefs, we come to the question of how we are to worship. After all, as depraved sinners, how is it at all possible for us to live a life of worship?
Praise the Lord, He is both the end and the means. Worship is only lived out through Him and for Him. When we talk about Paul’s declaration in Galatians 2:20, we often jump straight to conclusions about living in faith. Truly, this is an important point to make, but it is not the only one nor the first one. The very reason living by faith is possible is because we are crucified with Christ!
This is not merely an abstract concept, even though it is intangible and difficult to grasp. It is an amazing truth of the gospel! Not only did Christ die for us; we died with Him! We are united with the essence of Christ’s crucifixion. This means that we are to die to our sins, die to our desires, and die to ourselves. But in that death, we find our resurrection. We are also united with Christ in His resurrection, to live eternally and live for Him!
Because our lives are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, it is now possible for us to live in Him. Our lives are not our own, for us to decide to give to Him each day, or each time we go to church. No, our lives are already His! This is the only reason we can live lives of worship. Praise the Lord for the love that calls us to be one with Him!
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.