KISSING THE HAND OF GOD: The Essence of Worship Beyond the Surface (2)

GRACELIFE-COMI

WAIT CONFERENCE 2025|| UNDERSTANDING WORSHIP BEYOND MUSIC|| SESSION 3|| CHIMDI M. OHAHUNA

Welcome to this Session of WAIT CONFERENCE ‘25. In previous sessions, we considered the profound meaning of worship derived from the Greek word, proskuneo. This term embodies the act of kissing the hand in reverence, a gesture prevalent among orientals, especially the Persians. It also signifies falling upon the knees and touching the ground with the forehead—expressions of profound reverence. The recurring theme here is reverence, underscoring that true worship is about profound respect and admiration for God.

If a song is sung without reverence, it fails to be an act of worship. Worship must be embodied in our actions, our bodies serving as living offerings. The King James Version refers to this as a "living sacrifice," which constitutes our reasonable service or worship.

Worship involves kneeling or prostrating to pay homage, express respect, or supplicate. When we worship by kissing God's hand, we show respect, politeness, courtesy, admiration, and devotion to Him—reflecting our respect for God's love. This act signifies formal submission and a pledge of allegiance.

In this session, we further look into into the concept of worship as formal submission and allegiance to God. The Bible tells us that God is a spirit (John 4:24), and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and in truth. Worship begins in our spirit but must also be manifested in our bodies as living offerings.

True worship signifies total submission to God and absolute allegiance to His will. When born again, we are translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Christ Jesus, becoming worshipers in spirit. The unbeliever cannot worship God; only believers can worship the Lord as they are initiated into the spirit of worship. Our spirit man worships continuously, as worship is inherent in our new nature.

Paul's declaration, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain," reflects a state of total submission and allegiance to Christ. Worship extends beyond singing, rhythm, and music; it embodies total allegiance and submission to God's will. True worship aligns our bodies with the life of the spirit.

Being born again places us in the same diplomatic realm with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, enabling us to worship God. Only those within God's family can worship Him. Presenting our bodies as living offerings is a privilege exclusive to God's diplomatic cadre, allowing us to reason with Him.

Worship is understanding our place within God's diplomatic realm, as only those in His family can worship Him in spirit and in truth. The fellowship of the Holy Spirit is akin to kissing the Holy Spirit, sealed by the Father. Worship may or may not involve singing or music, but it is always an act of reverence.

Worship also means honoring God with ourselves. The Bible instructs us to honor the Lord with our substance and the first fruits of our increase. Our bodies are the first substance God seeks. When we honor God with our bodies, all other offerings—whether money, gifts, or services—carry the aroma of honor before God. If we fail to honor God with our bodies, other offerings lack this aroma of honor, as evidenced by Cain's unpleasing sacrifice to the Lord.

This session is a clarion call to worship God by honoring Him with our bodies, reflecting respect and reverence. Join us in this journey of true worship, where we align our bodies and spirits in total submission and allegiance to the will of God.

Jesus is Lord.