Where there is true worship, there is transformation
by Werner Mischke

Why should the nations say, “Where, now, is their God?”
But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold, The work of man's hands.
They have mouths, but they cannot speak;
They have eyes, but they cannot see;
They have ears, but they cannot hear;
They have noses, but they cannot smell;
They have hands, but they cannot feel;
They have feet, but they cannot walk;
They cannot make a sound with their throat.
Those who make them will become like them,
Everyone who trusts in them.
–Psalm 115:2-8

But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror
the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,
just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
–2 Corinthians 3:18

Where there is oppression, there is idolatry. This was the subject of my last devotional as I presented how false worship leads to oppression.

This devotional message is related: Where there is true worship, there is transformation. Worship of the living God leads to transformation — and this transformation can happen for individuals, families, communities and nations.

The Psalmist teaches us that if we worship a false god or an idol — we become like that idol. With nothing to say. Unable to truly see. Impervious to light and sound. Unfeeling. Unmoving.

Do we not observe this all around us in the sinful barrenness of life apart from God?

In contrast, consider 2 Corinthians 3:18. By “beholding... the glory of the Lord” (another way of saying 'worshiping Jesus Christ') something wonderful, powerful and beautiful happens to us. We are "transformed into the same image from glory to glory." We become like Jesus — the one we worship.

What does the phrase, from glory to glory, mean? It means that we are changed in ever-increasing degrees of weight... (or influence), substance... radiance... and beauty — while reflecting the life and character of the Lord Jesus to others.

One of my favorite books is “Under The Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization,” by Alvin Schmidt. This book is wonderfully readable and scholarly. It is a strong apologetic for the Christian faith — and it illustrates how the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ not only provides salvation to individuals — the life of Jesus also impacts communities and whole civilizations — “from glory to glory.” Here are the chapter titles:

1. People Transformed by Jesus Christ
2. The Sanctification of Human Life
3. Christianity Elevates Sexual Morality
4. Women Receive Freedom and Dignity
5. Charity and Compassion: Their Christian Connection
6. Hospitals and Health Care: Their Christian Roots
7. Christianity's Imprint on Education
8. Labor and Economic Freedom Dignified
9. Science: Its Christian Connections
10. Liberty and Justice for All
11. Slavery Abolished: A Christian Achievement
12. Christianity's Stamp on Art and Architecture
13. The Sound of Music: It's Christian Resonance
14. Hallmarks of Literature: Their Christian Imprint
15. Additional Influence: Holidays, Words, Symbols, Expressions

I love chapter 4 — which deals with the beautiful influence of Jesus Christ on the freedom and dignity of women. To highlight just one example...
It is amazing how the account of Jesus teaching Mary, as she sat at his feet, became foundational to the acceptance of education for women and girls. Jesus taught Mary about God, and told her sister Martha... “but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” –Luke 10:42

Sometimes, we look at this passage as an encouragement for Christians to prioritize their personal daily devotions — as opposed to just being busy. We take for granted the legitimacy of education and theological training for women and girls.

But imagine the impact of this account — of the Son of God teaching Mary — on the Greco-Roman and Hebrew culture of the early church. The early church grew up in a culture in which women were generally treated as property, rarely educated, and rarely trained in theology. Through the influence of the Lord Jesus, educational opportunities for women and girls eventually became accepted. (Schmidt’s book gives the historical details of how this happened. It is delightful.)

This is just one of the ways that Jesus has not only changed lives but changed cultures!

This is why worshiping Jesus Christ is transformational. This is why gazing at the glory of God has the wonderful potential of not only changing my life, but changing my world. This is why it is our JOY to obey our Lord's Great Commission:

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
–Matthew 28:19

Where there is true worship, there is transformation — another of the grand truths taught in Operation WorldView.