In Spirit and in Truth

In Spirit and in Truth

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
John 4:21-24

In this passage, the Samaritan woman is asking Jesus about the proper place to worship: whether it is on the mountain/high places as the Samaritans taught, or whether it was in Jerusalem as the Jews taught. And Christ's answer deals less with place than it does with manner. Christ takes the opportunity to teach her about what is coming, and the proper way of worship. That people should worship in spirit and in truth.

Worshiping in spirit indicates that a person should be committed to what they are doing. It is not a matter of simply going through the motions, but rather actual worship. This has always been a problem as people grow complacent, and begin simply going through the motions without actually putting thought or “spirit” into it. In Isaiah 1:10-20, we see that this was a problem even during Isaiah's time. People go through the motions, but it doesn't really mean anything to them.

Worshiping in truth indicates that we should be worshiping according to hod God wants us to worship. Otherwise it is false worship. In our assembly, we see preaching (Acts 10:7), singing (Eph. 5:19), praying (Acts 4:31), partaking of the Lord' Supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), and giving (I Cor. 16:2). We do not see musical instruments, plays and pageants, or any other of a myriad of things that people have introduced over the many years. To worship in truth, we must obey what the Lord has said. Otherwise it is strange worship, as offered by Nadab and Abihu (Lev. 10:1-2).

But you know, our worship isn't limited to the assembly, is it?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:1-2

Our entire lives are to be dedicated to the glory of God. Our entire lives are, in essence, worship to the Lord. Are we living our lives in spirit and in truth? Are we, with our lives, worshiping in spirit and in truth?

It is not restricted to the assembly. Every aspect of our lives should reflect the glory of God. Every aspect of our lives should be spent in spirit and in truth. Another way of looking at it is this: are we to follow the spirit of the law or the letter of the law? The answer is...both. And that is what it all comes down to. Are we dedicated to spending our lives in the service of God? Are we worshiping the Lord with our lives because we want to? Are we worshiping the Lord with our lives according to what He has said?