“But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
John 4:23-24 (NLT)
C. S. Lewis wrote, “Everything that is joined to the immortal Head will share his immortality.” And we are joined to the immortal God through the Spirit. If we do not believe it, then we should follow Lewis’ advice and “relegate the Christian faith to museums.” But if we believe that God is spirit and must be worshiped in spirit and truth, then let us stop pretending that how we worship or where we worship or who we worship makes no difference. God does make a difference! And those who worship Him must be different! He is spirit and we who worship Him must do so spiritually . . . especially if we expect to share His immortality.
Carefully note that worship must not be understood as primarily a means to an end. This would ignore the unique, infinite value of worshiping the Only Wise and Eternal God. In fact, when worship is practiced as an abstract spiritual consideration, it demeans God and achieves very little for the worshipper. But when in a truly worshipful spirit, we approach the glorified presence of the Lord, the Holy Spirit overshadows us and produces something unspeakable and altogether glorious. The Holy Spirit enters our chamber and transports us into the holiest of holies.
In his Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart, hymnist George Croly wrote:
“Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; Wean it from earth;
Through all its pulses move; Stoop to my weaknesses,
Mighty as thou art, And make me love thee as I ought to love.”
I think this is the key to worshipping in spirit and in truth . . . our love for God. It is possible to strengthen or extinguish the love we have for God. The Church of Laodicea (Rev. 3) experienced the extinguished flame, and Jesus told them to repent and ignite their first love. One lovesick poet wrote, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!” We need to count the ways we love God. That will ignite the spirit of worship. Fan this spirit of loving worship into a roaring fire. Get alone with God and talk to Him about your failure to love and worship. There is something about solitude, prayer, and meditation that makes the heart burn unceasingly in worship of the Resurrected Savior and God. If we rejuvenate our spirit, we will revive our worship!
Dear Father, thank you for Jesus Christ our Savior who takes away our sin. Remove the coldness of spirit and refresh the fire of love and worship in us. This I pray in the name of Jesus, AMEN
Be encouraged today by reviving your spirit to worship,