What is a Lifestyle of Worship? Understanding God’s Plan for Praise

Peter wrote that you, as a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ, are “a royal, holy priesthood” whose purpose is to “proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NKJV)

A lifestyle of worship today has its roots in the divine structure of God’s calling to the Old Testament Levites, but what does it look in practical terms?

The holy calling to the “Worship Priesthood” is not for just worship leaders and pastors and people in the ministry, but is for all believers. Every follower of Christ is chosen and called to live a lifestyle of worship and praise as ministers to the Lord, but not each believer chooses to accept that calling.

• What is the “Worship Priesthood”?
• Are there qualifications for ministry to the Lord?
• How is a lifestyle of worship and praise seen in everyday living?

In the Old Testament, under the Law of Moses, only specific men from the tribe of Levi could enter into God’s holy presence. Levites were selected to operate within the worship priesthood, leading the way into battle, and living a life set apart for the Lord.

What is a Lifestyle of Worship? Understanding God’s Plan for Praise

God has always set apart worshippers for Himself. Why? Because true praise and true worship originate in the heart. Praise and worship are not compelled, nor demanded, nor required. Gratitude is the point of origin for praise and you cannot falsify that because God looks upon the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

In fact, Jesus said that the Father is seeking those who will worship Him in “spirit and in truth”. (John 4:23-24) Why?

Because you were created to praise the Lord. (Isaiah 43:21)

Peter wrote that all people are created to offer up spiritual sacrifices to the Lord. (1 Peter 2:9) There is no longer a requirement for the literal blood of animals to atone for sin because Jesus shed His innocent blood, once and for all, but that only removed the requirement of blood – not FLESH.

Jesus’ punishment, death, and resurrection removed the requirement of sacrifice for redemption, but did not remove the requirement of sacrifice for praise. In fact, without a sacrifice of your flesh, there can be no true worship or praise.

Worship is a lifestyle, not a singular event, and it always comes down to this one thing: Sacrifice.

Jesus’ punishment, death, and resurrection removed the requirement of sacrifice for redemption, but did not remove the requirement of sacrifice for praise.

~ Alicia Purdy ~

Yet many, many believers do not experience the true, supernatural power of praise, but instead walk through life carrying the burdens God wants to take from them through praise and worship.

Other believers experience none of the profound benefits of a connection to the vital, living Spirit of God in worship because their lifestyle doesn’t incorporate praise in an authentic, natural way. Instead praise and worship have become liturgical, rote, and bland not stemming from gratitude and passion, but from tradition and muscle memory.

The Sacrifice of Praise Empowers a Worship Lifestyle

A lifestyle of worship is empowered by the sacrifice of praise. No, you will most certainly not “feel” like praising the Lord daily. Sometimes you will wonder what you have to praise Him for! Yet, you are the “spiritual sacrifice” the Bible points to.

• Romans 12:1 says that you must present your body as a living sacrifice and that is holy and acceptable to Him.
• Hebrews 13:15 says you are to offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, the fruit of your lips, giving thanks to His name.

But, when you enter into worship, you must come as a willing sacrifice. If it feels hard sometimes, remember that no sacrifice wants to die! Yet, you were designed to offer up spiritual sacrifices- that is literally you. You are the spiritual sacrifice, laying down yourself before God in worship.

• Your routine or schedule – sacrifice it.
• Your burdens – sacrifice it.
• Your inhibitions in dancing, raising your hands, shouting – sacrifice it.
• Your pain, shame, sin, unforgiveness- sacrifice it.
• Your worries about what others will think – sacrifice it.

You must sacrifice yourself to worship God and to connect with His Spirit as you praise Him, as you minister to Him, because there is always a sacrifice required to enter God’s presence. That is because true love always involves a sacrifice – even the world understands that!

So, because God expressed His love through sacrifice, you do the same in return through your sacrifice of praise.

…because God expressed His love through sacrifice, you do the same in return through your sacrifice of praise.

~ Alicia Purdy ~

You can say you’re thankful, but if you don’t express your gratitude with a physical sacrifice of praise and worship– you aren’t. You can say you’re praising God, but if you’re holding it all inside- you aren’t.

Daily sacrifice, (a connection to the days of the Law of Moses) is what builds a lifestyle of praise and worship! That is how worship royalty behaves. Jesus said the Father is seeking such people. (John 4:23-24) And “Whoever will lose his life for My sake will find it,” Jesus said in Matthew 16:25. 

The sons and daughters of the King know how to connect with Him, how to worship Him, and they know what draws the King’s attention: Sacrifice.

Living Like a Levite in a Lost World

Under the new Covenant, you are called to be one of the “kings and priests” that minister to the Lord that Peter wrote of, but it’s more than that. As a believer, your lifestyle of praise and worship have a foundation in the entirety of God’s Word.

Why Did God Choose the Levites as His Ministers?

In a word, the Lord chose the tribe of Levi out of all the other tribes of Israel for one reason: LOYALTY.

After their exodus from Egypt, when the rest of Israel fell into idolatry and worshipped the golden calf, the Levites did not participate, and when Moses cried out for men to stand with him against the people’s sin… and to purge sin from among them, the Levites ran to stand on the side of the Lord.

And… they paid a very high price for their unwavering loyalty. The penalty for disobedience to the Law was death! Yet even in the face of this unimaginable agony, the Levites did just as they were commanded and they struck down 3,000 people in one day… (See Exodus 32)

Of course, it’s not that extreme today, thanks to Jesus Christ, but still, in much in the same manner, there is a high cost for choosing the side of the Lord. Of course, when you think about the beauty of eternity and His glory, any “price” you’ll pay is nothing in comparison (2 Corinthians 4:17).

The Levites were loyal to the Lord, at all costs– and God didn’t forget that. But before they were elevated to a position of tremendous honor of ministering to the Lord, they had to pay the cost of choosing the Lord.

The Levites were eternally recognized and blessed by God for their obedient sacrifice, gave up everything for Him, to be at His side, to be on His side. Here’s what the Lord had to say about it in Malachi 2:5-7:

“My covenant with (Levi) was for life and peace, and I gave them to him. With awe he feared Me, and he was reverent before My name. True instruction was in his mouth, and injustice was not found on his lips. He walked with Me in peace and with uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. For a priest’s lips should preserve knowledge, and people should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts.” (MEV)

Because of the loyalty of the tribe of Levi, the Lord brought them into an eternal blessing – and that same eternal statute exists today for all those who praise and worship the Lord!

• The Levites were protective of and loyal to the Lord’s worship.
• They Levites were unwilling to give their worship and adoration to anyone else.
• The Levites were willing to eliminate any strongholds or areas of wickedness, disobedience, unrighteousness and sin- even if that meant putting to death the very things they loved.

Choosing to deny yourself, take up your cross, follow Jesus and walk away from darkness like sin, addictions, habits, strongholds, unrighteous relationships, expectations, pain and unforgiveness, and sacrificing your own body in worship are all necessary to be set apart for Him. 

Are you ready to live like a Levite?

Thought for Today: Living Like a Levite is a Life Set Apart to the Lord

Worshippers of the royal priesthood that Peter spoke of minister to the Lord in private and in public. They submit to the King on their knees and wherever their feet may go. They obey the King’s commands and walk in victory with their heads held high.

Spiritual paupers wonder why they’re not experiencing what everyone else seems to have and blame, accuse, or abandon God for the lack of supernatural and authority power in their lives. Why? Because they are unwilling to sacrifice themselves.

You were called and designed to live life as worship royalty, continually offering yourself as a sacrifice before God. That is how royalty lives and behaves. Praise and worship are a lifestyle.

A sacrifice hurts. A sacrifice should hurt. Some people fear the pain, while others are willing to do anything it takes to connect with God because they know He’s worth it, and that His promises for the worshipper are always yes, and amen!

Worship is an obedient sacrifice, and it’s one that the Lord has specifically asked for. He has asked for nothing else in return. God has a plan for your “future and hope” (Jeremiah 29:11), but the enemy has a plan for your destruction and he knows – even more than you do – the power of praise in your life. So, expect the attacks of apathy, complacency, doubt, busyness, depression and more… and fight back!

In fact, everything else you’ll walk through, the Lord will protect, guide and cover you- but in worship? That’s entirely on you because it must be willing. Your worship is a directly reflection of your heart attitude, of your gratitude. 

Remember, “…he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10:35) 

Jesus died for each person, so that all would have the opportunity to choose salvation (2 Peter 3:9). He loves each person equally (Acts 10:34). However, being loved by God and being accepted by God are not the same thing, according to the Bible.

Learn more about the 7 Hebrew Words for Praise and how each one helps create strength, intimacy, and fresh revelation as you understand more about God’s plan for praise in your life!

As a person who has willingly chosen to serve Jesus Christ, there are responsibilities and sacrifices that you will experience, but your loyalty to the Lord in your sacrifice praise and in living a life set apart will bring you a greater blessing than any man could bestow upon you.

If you want more of God, give Him more of you… You cannot out-give God!