Worship - A Biblical Definition
Worship, in its most basic understanding, presupposes a fundamental distinction between the worshiper and the object of worship. Even in the most banal use of the term, e.g. where famous athletes or musicians are said to be worshiped by their fans, there is still the idea that those persons' abilities or appeal are far superior to those of normal people. When it comes to God, of course, the chasm is infinite: God is totally unique in all of the universe. In fact, He made the universe, everything which exists besides Him owe Him its existence; only He has no beginning, no cause, no limits or limitations. In spite of man's exalted stature of being created in the image of God, there is still an infinite chasm which separates him as creature from the one Creator.
Yet sin foolishly seeks to mar that distinction, to bridge that chasm. This was the fundamental issue in the serpent's temptation of Eve in the garden: "you will be like God." (Genesis 3:5) The attack was on God's total uniqueness as the Creator and Lord of all, of the fundamental distinction between Him and all of His creatures, including Eve (and Adam, and Satan). Of course, Satan also accused God of lying to Eve (Gen. 3:4) and of motives which impugned the perfection of God, when in reality the fallen creature Satan was the one who was capable of such deeds and thoughts.
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