“God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24, NIV

 

 

Often, we find it easy to worship – but sometimes in a wrong way.

 

In response to the Samaritan woman’s reference to the places where they “must” worship (John 4:20), Jesus wants to bring home to her that it is not about rules, but about the “how”. He comes to offer her (and, indeed, all of us) a total and eternal renewal through the enduring “spring of water” (John 4:14) with which the Holy Spirit nourishes us. (John 7:38-39)

 

This becomes even clearer when Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life”, and that the Father “will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever.” (John 14:6,16-17) And that He, “the Holy Spirit … will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) The Holy Spirit is thus connected to the truth and life as God intended it.

 

He lets God’s Light fall on our reality. With an obedient spirit (which is also part of worship), based on the truth according to the will and purpose of God, we will be led to live and work in worship, in the midst of joy and suffering as well as shortcomings and development, when we need honour, wisdom and love and must apply it. Through his Spirit, we, therefore, also worship God with such life and work.

 

“... for such is the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.” (cf 1 Peter 4:6b)

 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me live and work in worship according to the truth and purpose that your Spirit determines for me. Amen.