Throwing A Kiss

It is a wonderful feeling to adore someone and suddenly throw them a kiss. We might even wonder, later, why we did it. This simple reaction is at the heart of worship. It is an external act demonstrating an internal feeling. When a devoted Christian feels the highest form of love for their Savior they sometimes want to fall, face down, on the ground which is another normal act of worship. This reflects a heartfelt adoration for our Creator. When we worship God our response may take many forms. It could involve our physical body, our emotions, any mental abilities and of course our spiritual being. Some of us will say, “I have never worshiped God to any high degree.”  This is usually because we have an inadequate concept of our God. We must ask the Spirit of worship to help us appreciate the magnitude of the Almighty. Some people claim they can worship God without any external sign at all. Genuine worship does start on the inside of us but most people will show some external sign of a real love.

There is some kind of pressure that builds-up when people of faith have been denied any external form of worship. This is because worship is a natural response for us and the continuing feeling of respect we have for God needs to be expressed. Believers feel humble when they think of their Creator and His great love. Worldly people will sometimes say they have no feelings for God which proves that their spirit is dead. It is a real privilege that our spirits have been brought to life so that we can want to throw a kiss to (adore) God. Christians soon learn what a great feeling it is to tell others that “God is my personal God”.  Knowing that we have a special connection with the Almighty makes the world look different to us. At times we may have a wonderful feeling about something God is doing and not even understand what it means. When we adore God the Spirit of worship can move in us at any time or place. We can look to our Savior just like a child looks at their father with trust, wonder and delight. God has never let one of His children down and He never will. Confidence can increase our adoration.

The like-mindedness of a group of people can also increase our faith. In fact, organized worship shows admiration for God simply by the directed efforts we put forth. Jesus did tell the woman at the well; True worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24 (NLT) But Jesus was talking to people who had spent their lives going through the traditional motions of religion. Simply going through the motions here on earth will never impress our God who is a Spirit. When our spirit has been brought to life by our Creator we are then able to worship Him in spirit and truth. Jesus was not forbidding our external worship but telling us that it must begin on the inside. Paul said that even a sinner will respond externally at times; As they listen, their secret thoughts will be exposed, and they will fall to their knees and worship God, declaring, “God is truly here among you.” 1 Cor 14:25 (NLT) There is nothing wrong with external worship when it comes from our heart.

Real worship will usually result in praise which is “to confess approval”. It is an act of worship when our mouth is pronouncing good things about our Lord. Paul says that God has made His children so that we would naturally praise Him; And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him. Eph 1:13-14 (NLT) Christians should vocalize their feelings of adoration because the Father loves it. The Scriptures say; “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.” Heb 2:12 In this passage we see another reason why we gather with believers. It affords us the chance to both hear and tell some of the reasons that we love our Father. Worship and praise will build us up in our faith and make us stronger Christians. When a group of believers is truly worshiping from their hearts it is as though we give a standing ovation to God.

The first church was formed after Jesus died in Jerusalem. The people were getting to know each other and everyone loved their brother. The Bible describes it this way; They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God. Acts 2:46-47 (NLT) We are told that they were continually praising God no matter what other things they were doing.  Worshiping God is not a part time activity for people who really love God. Our heart is continually reaching out in love for our Savior and his Father. Peter said that we are special; But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV) Once again we see that as special children of God it is really part of our privileged position to give adoration to our Creator. We are allowing the glory of God in Christ, to shine through the Spirit in us.

Throwing a kiss is an odd name for this paper. However, the actual meaning of the Greek word for worship is “to kiss”. This kiss of adoration was better known in some ancient cultures where many different things were worshiped. Many kings required that people kiss their hand or foot. But our God is so loving, that we are invited into His family. When Jesus was on earth He even went so far as to wash the disciple’s feet. With a God that is so wonderful and different from this world, why would we not adore Him? It is no wonder that a real believer continually has a feeling of worship swelling up in their heart. Let it out. One very productive way to let it out is to encourage the believers that we know or meet. It is not possible for us to know how much it might mean to the recipient, but the Lord knows. If we are not feeling the adoration for God that should be in our heart then simply ask Him and He will give us abundantly. Throw a kiss to God today, He will appreciate it.