Faith and worship are connected and recognized as ways of communicating with God. They have their origin in the Old Testament. These two aspects are demanded from human beings for various reasons. They present a Christian with spiritual food to walk through the journey of life in fulfillment. It is through these forms of communication with God that He gives crucial messages and answers prayers.
The Old Testament is the origin of this practice which is closely linked to sacrifice. The belief in a supreme God calls the faithful to make sacrifices for various reasons. It is the priests who lead in these occasions because of their privileged place in the society. Sacrifices came in three forms and were offered on occasions to appease God.
Priests would burn the entire sacrifice at the altar to appease God. The direction of the smoke indicated whether God was pleased with the offering or not. Smoke needed to rise to the skies to signify acceptance. What was laid on the altar was the best produce from the farm or flock. The main component was meat, but drinks, fruits, cereals and tithe would be added.
Making such an offering signified what God meant to His people. The quality of offering given by each person showed the regard with which he held God. Offering the best or the first harvest indicated absolute devotion to the will of God. It is an acceptance that everything came from Him through his Grace. Everything was burnt without even the priests having a share of it.
Sacrifices were also made to seek remission from sin by communities or individuals. The approach was different in this case because the priests were at liberty to have a share what was offered at the altar. As representatives of God, they would burn part of it and share the rest as personal gain. The main aim of such offering was to cleanse the person of sin or the community in order to avert a calamity.
The desire for peace drove people to make offerings at individual level. This was in fulfillment of vows, in thanks giving or other personal reasons. What one offered remained at his discretion because it was he who knew the reason. It was agreed that anything being offered should bear no blemish. One was allowed to invite other people to share in the offering as a feast.
In modern society, worship has taken different forms though the basis or philosophy is still the same. Sacrifices come in the form of cash, commodities or donations. Worshipers are required to regularly offer prayers or fast to gain absolution of sin or for thanks giving. These are indications that one believes in a God who is able to fulfill his promises to his people.
The greatest form of faith and worship is living a righteous life in obedience to the commandments of God. Good deeds like generosity or charity rise up the skies like the smoke of the sacrifices made in the Old Testament. There is an element of cost in worshiping which shows sacrifice or surrender. This is the essence of fasting.
The Old Testament is the origin of this practice which is closely linked to sacrifice. The belief in a supreme God calls the faithful to make sacrifices for various reasons. It is the priests who lead in these occasions because of their privileged place in the society. Sacrifices came in three forms and were offered on occasions to appease God.
Priests would burn the entire sacrifice at the altar to appease God. The direction of the smoke indicated whether God was pleased with the offering or not. Smoke needed to rise to the skies to signify acceptance. What was laid on the altar was the best produce from the farm or flock. The main component was meat, but drinks, fruits, cereals and tithe would be added.
Making such an offering signified what God meant to His people. The quality of offering given by each person showed the regard with which he held God. Offering the best or the first harvest indicated absolute devotion to the will of God. It is an acceptance that everything came from Him through his Grace. Everything was burnt without even the priests having a share of it.
Sacrifices were also made to seek remission from sin by communities or individuals. The approach was different in this case because the priests were at liberty to have a share what was offered at the altar. As representatives of God, they would burn part of it and share the rest as personal gain. The main aim of such offering was to cleanse the person of sin or the community in order to avert a calamity.
The desire for peace drove people to make offerings at individual level. This was in fulfillment of vows, in thanks giving or other personal reasons. What one offered remained at his discretion because it was he who knew the reason. It was agreed that anything being offered should bear no blemish. One was allowed to invite other people to share in the offering as a feast.
In modern society, worship has taken different forms though the basis or philosophy is still the same. Sacrifices come in the form of cash, commodities or donations. Worshipers are required to regularly offer prayers or fast to gain absolution of sin or for thanks giving. These are indications that one believes in a God who is able to fulfill his promises to his people.
The greatest form of faith and worship is living a righteous life in obedience to the commandments of God. Good deeds like generosity or charity rise up the skies like the smoke of the sacrifices made in the Old Testament. There is an element of cost in worshiping which shows sacrifice or surrender. This is the essence of fasting.
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