Miroslav Volf:
"Christian worship consists both in obedient service to God and in the joyful praise of God. Both of these elements are brought together in Hebrews 13:15–16, a passage that comes close to giving a definition of Christian worship: ‘Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.’ The sacrifice of praise and the sacrifice of good works are two fundamental aspects of the Christian way of being-in-the-world. They are at the same time the two constitutive elements of Christian worship: authentic Christian worship takes place in a rhythm of adoration and action.
Why does Christian worship need to branch out into action and adoration? What is the reason for this biformity of worship? In what follows I will try to answer these questions.
First, why cannot worship consist simply in active life in the world? Why does adoration need to take place as a distinct activity beside action? Because God did not create human beings to be merely God’s servants but above all to be God’s children, and friends. As much as they need to do God’s will in the world, they also need to enjoy God’s presence".
Carson, D. (2000, c1993). Worship : Adoration and action. Produced by the Faith and Church Study Unit of the Theological Commission of the World Evangelical Fellowship. (electronic ed.) (207). Grand Rapids: Published on behalf of World Evangelical Fellowship by Baker Book House.
