Spirit of Worship

Verse of the day: John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Worship…I often hear Christians say, “I’m going to church to worship”. As God’s children we are told not to forsake corporate worship (Heb 10:25); however, we must be careful that we not fall into the trap of thinking that worship only takes place in the church building. Worship is what we should be doing 24 hours a day. Jesus, in having a conversation with the Samaritan woman, in John 4, told her that a time would come when we would worship God in spirit in truth. There was a time when God had established a worship system, for Israel, that involved ceremony and sacrifice. Today, we do not follow that sacrificial, ceremonial system. However, too many believers have been deceived into thinking that God is still interested in our religious rituals, and ceremonies. The problem with this approach is that too many are taking more care to perform rituals than taking care of what is in their hearts. Jesus was communicating that God is not interested in where we choose to worship Him; instead, He is more interested in what condition we are in on the inward parts when we worship Him (Ps 51:6; Heb 10:22). The only way that any of us can truly worship God in spirit and truth is via the help of the Holy Spirit, who knows the will of God (Rm 8:27). Outward rituals of worship are worthless before Him, if there is not sincerity, righteousness, holiness, and truthfulness, in the inward parts (which is only possible in Christ). True sacrificial worship is something that we do at all times, by offering Him the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and praise, regardless of what circumstances we are living in. Our circumstances should not dictate how we worship God. Instead, how we worship God should be what affects our response to our circumstances. God is not interested in our empty, religious rituals. He wants worship that is rooted in faith. He wants worship that is rooted in a genuine desire to live life in accordance to God’s truth (not our version of truth), as found in God’s Word (in the way we love Jesus, and others).