The Acts Of Worship - Call Upon His Name (Part 2)

The Acts Of Worship - Call Upon His Name (Part 2)

1 Chronicles 16:8

“Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name…”

Calling upon the Lord is particularly important to the followers of God. The Bible illustrates the greatest leaders of our faith doing exactly that throughout history. Beginning in Genesis 4 and on through Abraham, King David, the Prophets right up to the followers of Jesus, we are given examples of calling upon Him.

If calling upon the name of God means more that just speaking His name, then we have a problem with the way we understand the book of Romans.

Romans 10:13

“for ‘WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.’”

I’ve heard preachers tell others that all you have to do to fulfill this verse is just to ask Jesus to save you. Clearly, this is not what the Bible means when it says to call upon Him. Let’s look at our understanding of that verse again: Calling upon the Lord is whole hearted and fully committed worship in response to the realization that God is working in your life.

We’re not just talking about saying a few “magic words” that can save us, are we? To call upon His name requires a commitment to follow Him and becoming a full blown disciple of His.

In Acts 2:21, Peter quotes the Prophet Joel in telling others that the time had come when “Those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” What comes next is an all-out proclaiming of the Gospel with resurrection power, life-changing repentance and fully committed baptism that changed the world.

Clearly, calling upon the Lord is more than just words. It is all-in worship where the follower of God completely surrenders and lives 100% for Jesus.

It’s a new life wholly dedicated to God with self no longer on the throne.

Acts 2:42

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Tomorrow: Make known His deeds.