Have you ever asked a question, received an answer, but were still completely at a loss? Or perhaps it made sense somewhat and you settle for that explanation, never truly grasping the concept.

Come to think of it, we do it more often than we realise. For example, in maths we are taught to follow a formula or a method to reach the answer, but many struggle because the concept behind the method is not fully understood and if we forget one step, we are at a loss and veer completely off track.

Have we not adopted this methodological approach to life in many ways, following formulas and routines, not actually thinking through the why? Go to school, study hard, get a job, earn a living, buy a house and car, have kids, send them to school, teach them to repeat the formula.

It’s no wonder that so many have adopted the same approach to God, embracing religion instead of relationship. The impact that this approach tends to have on both our secular and spiritual lives, is that we often forsake true joy and meaning, living more like robots than human beings created in the image of God, meant to rule and reign on earth.

To rule and reign, words associated with kingship, yet we live like slaves.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.”

Luke 4:18

He came to set us free. This is Jesus reading from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, going on to say that “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (vs21) declaring that He had come to fulfill this prophecy. To set us free from the bondage of slavery.

To set the oppressed free for what? We know from what, we are set free from the bondage of sin. If you ask anyone, even a child, why did Jesus die? Most will respond, “He died so that our sins would be forgiven” So what? What does that actually mean to us practically? Eternal life, yes, but what about now?

I am going somewhere, bear with me…

In the Exodus, the Israelites were set free from Egypt. They were released from the bondage of slavery to be led into the promised land. Let’s look at what the scriptures say…

Then say to him, ‘The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has sent me to say to you: Let my people go, so that they may worship me in the wilderness. But until now you have not listened.

Exodus 7:16

They were set free so that they could worship God! God gave Moses detailed instructions on how to build a tabernacle for what? To worship Him! There was so much of emphasis placed on this, so many details and instructions around how and when, even where to worship God. In fact, the first four of the Ten Commandments speak of worshipping God.

Back to the New Testament…

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split.

Matthew 27:51

This is so powerful and significant to understand. The veil separated the Holy Place from The Most Holy Place or “The Holy of Holies”, a place that held the Ark of the covenant. Wherein the priest entered once a year to offer a sacrifice for the sins of the people. The veil separated us from the presence of God because of our sin. By dying for our sin, the veil was no longer required and it’s rending allows us access into the the throne room of God.

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

Ephesians 2:4-6

How can we be seated in heavenly realms while we are here on earth? Through worship. We are able to enter into the throne room as we worship God in spirit and in truth.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4:23-24

Our eternity is centered around worshipping God. The enemy would have us worship him instead. This is simply what it boils down to. Who or what we worship. Jesus came that we may receive forgiveness from our sins, because sin separated us from God. That we may enter boldly into his presence. Satan doesn’t want this for us because therein lies our strength and power to walk in victory on earth.

There is a saying that goes: “When satan reminds you of your past, remind him of your future” What is your future? Our future is eternity, in the presence of God, worshipping our Father in heaven. So when satan attacks, fight back by showing him how you will be spending your eternity, worshipping the King of Kings.