Is to KNOW God, to worship him (her/it/they)??? Is it progressive?

Question

When wondering what God gets out of being worshipped, I was informed that it is the natural reaction of coming to KNOW him. So taking that as and end point, is their a natural progression?

Assuming our spiritial understanding increases, does our relationship change in incremental ways (e.g., first in curiosity, then frienship, love, worship?). Some other transition?

Or, for those who feel that they have an intimate relationship, was it more of a startling, profound qualitative change?

Sincere responses would be appreciated.

I am very impressed with the rich thoughtfullness of all the answers.

Each one seems to be unique and special and adds something worth pondering.

There can obviously be no best answer. Each person deserves five stars for answering in a geuine manner, based on their experiences. All the perspectives generated considerable reflection.
Jon M- Interesting observation- that revelation is later replaced by a more enduring and and mature growth process.

Rebekah- balance is a key- fellowship, prayer and study.

Scotgirl60- belief is dynamic- it can be transitory or it can increase incrementally as God is seen as desevring of praise.

Gawed –the connection between self knowledge and God

Ryan K- the process is dymanic! The involvment of God- through sanctification we are transformed or transforming

Joju- worship as the spontaneous expression of joy

Sophia- (a kindred spirit), good luck with your journey… "Rationality" I believe is essential to the celebration or affirmation of God

Mr. Diamond- expands the concept of worship- something that is expressed in everyday action.
Jedi- short but filled with meaning

Answer 1

I see it this way... our connection to God (I prefer Spirit) is stainless and perfect. Our minds, however, are not! So we perceive that we are either closer or further from Spirit than we actually are. The flaws and stains are in our minds.

This flawed nature of mind (or intellect) is where the progression comes into play. This is most often illustrated by the metaphor of the cloudy window. When our window to the world is cloudy and dirty (by a stained intellect) we have trouble seeing Spirit. However, as we continue spiritual practice we begin to clean the dirt and muck off our windows. As our windows become cleaner, more Spirit comes through.

In Taoism, there is a term called the gateless-gate. It expresses both the reality of our stainless connection with Spirit, and the reality of our clouded, dirty windows. Because at first, there appears to be a gate that is blocking you from awakening to Spirit. But once you pass through that gate (or clear the window) you realize the obstruction was never really there in the first place -- your mind only placed it there.

Answer 2

Knowing things about God is never the same as God himself. That's gnosticism, and that was condemned as a heresy by the Church. And we never "know God." The best any human can do is to know things about God.

What God gets out of our worship is the same thing an earthly father gets out of having his son/daughter look up at him with complete trust and admiration and love. I won't try to define what that is -- it's beyond my abilities to explain.

And I do like your idea about incremental increases in our relationship with God. I do think it works along those lines. Some people remark that their first conversion experience was startling, profound, dramatic,etc. But after that wears off, a more mature growth process should take over -- probably something like what you delineated.

Answer 3

I also have a finished relationship with Goddess and God that incorporates worship yet Worship is just one small area of the relationship. a lot of that relatinship is comradery, a mutual replace of affection, and advisore-advisee relationship, a student-instructor relationship, a confidant relationship and in many situations a chum or relative relationship. All of those and a lot greater, previous the easy worhipping relationship is in contact. this is dificult to describe and that i understand that i'm no longer doing an exceedingly good activity of it. whether, this is no longer the "well-known" mainstream faith theory of worship. i do no longer view the Gods as being some etherearl Beings in some far bumped off place, aspiring to be purely worshipped and cherished from afar. extremely I view it as a one on one relationship it fairly is on an identical time favored via the two me and them and one that leaves me feeling fulfilled and on the factor of them. Brightest advantages, Raji the eco-friendly Witch

Answer 4

Everyone experiences it differently. In the past, I had some emotional experiences where I felt I'd found instant enlightenment that would enable me to change my life from that day forward, in gratitude and worship to God. But, those never seemed to last.

I'm studying and contemplating more now, seeking a faith that respects my rationality--and it's not the same epiphany-like experience, but it feels more real, somehow.

Answer 5

They way you asked the question was a bit confusing, but I think I get what you are asking...

Yes, it is progressive! You are to grow in Christ! Growing, getting strong, closer, etc...

The only way for it to be progressive is by doing 3 things:

(my Dad says it best, let me quote him on this...)
"A prosperous (meaning "growing in grace") Christian life is like a three-legged stool. All three legs have to be there and have to be pretty even in length or else you will be off-balance and headed for a fall.

The three legs are prayer, bible study, and fellowship with other believers. All three must be there to grow and prosper as a Christian. Prayer - individual, private times of prayer. Bible study- reading, studying, memorizing scripture, etc. And fellowship with others (which can include going to church, group prayer, group bible study, etc)

I have seen this played out in people's lives: They go to church but they don't have times of "devotion" at home. Or just the opposite: someone reads the bible and prays but never goes to church! Or someone says they pray a lot by themselves - but can't get "into" the bible. Off-balance! Look! Danger!

A balanced life will include all three and if we persevere - taking to pray every day, read the bible every day, go to church - EVEN WHEN WE DON'T FEEL LIKE IT - we will grow and blossom and bear fruit as Christians!"

Answer 6

Knowing God does not necessarily mean worshipping God (that's how you bypass the gender thing, btw).

Some people may believe in God but reject those beliefs later.

I think your second paragraph is correct -- we are increasing our understanding incrementally, and as we do, we see that God is even more deserving of our praise and worship.

I think God wants our worship, but doesn't need it. However, God alone deserves it.

Answer 7

i think it is a progression. The Bible uses the phrase "baby Christians" meaning, Christians who have not yet reached full maturity and understanding in their faith. Also, the doctrine of sanctification. The process where God starts to change you throughout your life. Biblically, this only happens when you lay your pride aside and put your trust and faith in God's Son and repent of your sins. You start to desire righteousness and despise sin. Its a hard doctrine because we want to call the shots.

Answer 8

Worship....everytime i say i love my wife...it is a form of "worship" when i say thank you to someone..same thing...when others do a good thing for another ...when you give a "compliment" this is worship....and if you look at yourself in the mirror and admire yourself...so, if you tell god you love him, pay him a compliment, do a good thing in his name, help others, as a christian, look up and tell him"your not so bad after all!" it's all the same thing.."Worship" and yes, it does have degrees...but this is another story......

Answer 9

worship is not required by god, it is the spontaneous expression of joy to acknowledge god.
to worship god is to stand before him, but this is to make god into something seperate from yourself.
many are happy to stand outside and spend their whole lives celebrating it.

to know god truly, is to know thyself.

no god, no seperation, just the truth,

Answer 10

The divine isn't too into brownnosers. To 'know' god is to know thee in thyself.