[uh-fek-shuh ns]

(reading time: 2 mins)

One of the key steps forward into a bigger worship is recognizing and growing into the two general heart components of worship: reverence and affections. It is no accident in our discussion that affections is pluralized. In fact it is a much older use of the word we are employing; a very different connotation than we normally encounter in modern usage. Affections denotes something far more significant, deeper than what might be understood by the more emotionally-based idea of affection. That’s all fine and dandy, but it’s not what we are talking about here.

We mean the entire realm of one’s emotions, decisions, commitments, and inclinations.

18th Century Theologian and Pastor Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) helps us out here. First, with a great quote on the necessity of affections and then by helpfully breaking the idea down into seven categories.

“For although to true religion there must indeed be something else besides affection, yet true religion consists so much in the affections that there can be no true religion without them. He who has no religious affection is in a state of spiritual death, and is wholly destitute of the powerful, quickening, saving influences of the Spirit of God upon his heart. As there is no true religion where there is nothing else but affection, so there is no true religion where there is no religious affection.” 

Jonathan Edwards, The Religious Affections, (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, reprinted 1994), pg. 24.

He goes further in breaking down this call for us into the following list:

fear, hope, love, hatred, desire, joy, sorrow, gratitude, compassion, and zeal.

Do these affections play a part in your ongoing worship of Jesus? How so? What are areas you see more regularly than others, and what might be some areas to grow into this next while?