Study Worshipfully

Behold Devo #1: Worship

Jesus changes everything. When you put your faith in Jesus Christ to save you from your sins, He made you a new creation. You are now a child of God, and everything about your life, including school, is different — in a great way!

In 1 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul says, “For Christ’s love compels us… He died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the One who died for them and was raised.”

As followers of Jesus, we no longer live for ourselves, but for God Who loved us and gave Himself for us on the cross to save us. Jesus wants all of us, including our academic life.

What motivates us to live for God is that He first loved us. In Isaiah 43:4, God writes, “you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you.” And then He writes in verse 7 that we are “created for His glory.” Because Jesus loved us and made us new creations, we have been restored to our original existential purpose: to glorify God!

So how do we glorify God? Is it only by going to church and singing praises? That certainly is one way to worship God, but our worship extends to more than that. In fact, 1 Corinthians 10:31 says: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.”

This concept is reiterated in Colossians 3:17, which says “Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

In light of God’s love for us, we do everything to glorify and worship Him. Thus, even going to school, taking great notes in class, completing your homework with excellence, and preparing for your exams are all ways you can worship and glorify God. Wow, Jesus really does change everything!

When you accept that your purpose is to glorify God in response to His love for you, school can become more meaningful and enjoyable. You are no longer just solving math problems, but you are living out your God-given purpose to glorify Him from your heart.

There are many good reasons to study and work hard: to get good grades, to remain eligible for sports, to honor your parents, to gain acceptance to college, to unlock job opportunities, and to earn money to live. However, none of these should be our ultimate reason. Our primary motivation should be to love and glorify God.

Most people spend 40-50 years of their life working. God tells us how to work as followers of Jesus in Colossians 3:23-24. “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.”

Right now, the job God has entrusted to you is to be a responsible student. How would your academic life change if you obeyed God’s command above to do your school work enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive a reward of an inheritance from the Lord?

In Ephesians 6:6-7, God provides further clarity on how we can glorify Him through our work. “Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.”

This passage above captures the key to glorifying God in everything: whatever you do, do it for God from your heart. While studying may not look like singing hymns of thanksgiving to God, you can be worshiping God in your heart while you’re studying by doing all things for Him.

Application: For the rest of your life, whenever you go to class, complete homework, study for tests, or get up to go to work, remember God’s love for you that He gave Jesus to die for your sins and to rise again to give you new life. And let God’s love motivate you to live for Him above all else, even to study for Him, from your heart.

Study Break: If you want a study break this week, take a few minutes to listen to these podcasts from BibleProject.com about work, helping you to see that work is not a curse, but actually one of God’s greatest blessings (yes, even homework)!

Podcast 1: https://bibleproject.com/podcast/theology-work-part-1-story-about-work

Podcast 2: https://bibleproject.com/podcast/theology-work-part-2-future-my-work

BibleProject.com is an incredible resource with videos, articles, and podcasts about God’s Word and how it all points to Jesus. Check it out!