Subject: Should we lift our hands in praise and |
Bible Note: All worship is very personal, between that individual and God and will be judged individually not as a "group". When God looks into my heart He and He alone will know if I am trying to look religious (lifting hands) or if I am worshipping with a pure heart. My current non-emotional church is of the opinion that such outward displays are distracting to others. I referred our minister to Luke's account of the Pharisee and the publican. Beating ones chest, tearing ones clothes and weeping are pretty distracting, yet this man went home justified. The lesson I get from this wonderful passage is: Don't be impressed by pompous traditions and outward appearances but rather, strive to have a pure and humble heart, even if it offends the more dignified traditionalists. On the other hand....if lifting hands makes someone uncomfortable, it would be just as wrong for that person to lift hands when it is not in worship to God, but more so to fit in with the crowd. You made a good point, thanks. |