REAL WORSHIP

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:23-24)

What does it mean to worship God? It has become fashionable in some circles to equate worship with singing choruses. There are two verses of Scripture that associate singing praise with the worship of God. "All the earth shall worship You And sing praises to You; They shall sing praises to Your name." Selah" (Psa 66:4, KJV). "Worship the LORD with gladness; come into his presence with singing" (Psa 100:2, NIV, NRSV). In the KJV and NASB, the latter verse uses the word "serve" instead of "worship." My point here is that real "worship" is infinitely larger than singing.

In our text, Jesus told a Samaritan woman of "true worshipers," and of the Father's desire to find such. "True," in this case, means REAL. These worshipers are not merely going through a routine, but have comprehended the Lord, love Him heartily, and serve Him with zeal. Their worship is a manner of life and not limited to a time or season.

Real worship involves both "spirit and truth." Elsewhere the Holy Spirit reminds us of the real people of God. They are "the circumcision" who "worship God in the Spirit" (Phil 3:3). Their worship is genuine, coming from their very hearts. It is an expression of their basic persons. Also, it is in strict accord with the Holy Spirit of God, Who provides the vitality of spiritual life. This is spiritual worship, prompted by faith, or spiritual conviction and a persuasion of the Person and purpose of God Almighty. It is contrasted with mere external involvement, such as existed under the Law. It is not a performance.

By saying "in truth," the voluntary and substantive nature of worship is accentuated. This is not a mere routine, but the expression of a devout soul that has been touched by the grace of God. Some prefer to believe "in truth" means in strict accord with the commandments of God. True worship will not conflict with the commandments. In this text, however, such worship is contrasted with that which needs to be provoked by a command rather than being the hearty response of faith.

True worshipers have a new heart–one that has been circumcised by Christ (Col 2:11-12). There is nothing pretentious about their worship. It is an overflow of their new life in Christ Jesus. It is continual, and cannot be scheduled or confined to a period of time.

Oh, that there were a renewal of this kind of worship within the professed church! Such worship does not require stimuli, orchestration, or a leader! It is continual, and it is real!

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus, show me Your glory, that I may worship you in spirit and in truth.

-- MONDAY: FLESH CANNOT BE REFORMED --