Femi Aribisala: True worship is a 'sacrifice of praise' from the heart, not ritual in buildings
In a reflective column, Femi Aribisala argues that God desires heartfelt, joyful praise over ritual sacrifices or physical temples. Drawing from biblical narratives—Abel's faith-based offering, David's unauthorized but accepted worship, and Jesus' teaching on worship "in spirit and truth"—Aribisala contends that the Old Testament's restrictive priestly system gave way to direct spiritual access through faith.
He illustrates this with a personal account of praying for a terminally ill man who ultimately died. After initial frustration, Aribisala says he understood God required not physical healing but a "sacrifice of praise"—joyful thanksgiving even in sorrow. Citing Jeremiah 33:10-11 and Psalms, he asserts praise must be offered joyfully regardless of circumstances.
The column extends this to the New Testament vision: believers themselves are God's temple (1 Cor 3:16-17), rendering physical structures irrelevant. Quoting Hosea 6:6 and Matthew 9:13, Aribisala emphasizes God prioritizes mercy, love, and knowledge of Him over ceremonial sacrifice.
The piece offers a theological framework for processing suffering through worship rather than demanding outcomes, framing praise as spiritual discipline rather than emotional response.