Spirit and Truth

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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on March 21, 2011 at 1:51pm

Greetings in Christ`s name to you, Choco,

 

The first verse that comes to my mind is 1 Corinthians 6:17," But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit."

And, Romans 8:16,"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."

So, our relationship with God needs to be set in the Spirit.

 

No more blood sacrifices.

This allows for the type of sacrifice as described in Romans 12:1,"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." 

 

That`s a start.

 

Grace and Peace.

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on March 22, 2011 at 3:36pm

 

>>We are told to worship in Spirit and Truth.  What does that mean to you?

 

It means don't be fake, don't be full of rituals and self-righteous acts that are done to hide or substitute a true and genuine relationship with God.

 

Worship in Spirit - with all your heart, soul, mind and strength not by trying to gain favor but in Spiritual worship that comes from a heart that understands we are poor in Spirit on our own, but rich in Spirit because He abides in us. That is worshiping in truth and not in a hypocritical manner.

 

 

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Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on March 22, 2011 at 3:54pm

Q. Please help me to understand John 4:23 - 24. What do these verses teach about the nature of God and the kind of worship He desires?

John 4:23-24
23 “But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The context of this text is a discussion that Jesus has with the woman at the well. She correctly recognizes Jesus as a prophet and asks him a question regarding the appropriate place to worship God. Jesus teaches that the place for worship was of no consequence to God. It does not matter whether we worship in the city or in the country. It does not matter whether we are in a house or in a tent, or in an open field. The place where we worship has nothing to do with whether the worship is acceptable to God.

Jesus reminds the woman that since she was a Samaritan she could not have been taught the truth about the Worship of God. The Samaritans had parts of the Old Testament which they recognized as inspired, (i.e. the Pentateuch), but they rejected all of the prophecies of the Old Testament. Since they rejected the prophecies of the Old Testament they also rejected the prophecies concerning the coming Messiah. Salvation was coming to the world through the Jews.

In verse 23 Jesus says:

“But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers.”

Notice the contrast here between the “true worshipers” and the Samaritans who followed their own traditions rather than the Word of God. This verse clearly demonstrates that God SEEKS true worshipers. There is such a thing as false worship, or ignorant worship. The Samaritans were guilty of ignorant worship. Jesus contrasts this with “true worship.”

True Worship is characterized by two things.

1) It is in spirit or from the heart, in other words it is sincere.

2) It is in truth, that is it is according to the dictates of the Word of God, which is the TRUTH (Jn. 17:17).

Our text says:

John 4:24
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The nature of God is spirit. All spirits are invisible to human eyes. We are unable to see the human spirit when it leaves the body to return to God who gave it (Ecc. 12:7).

Paul says of Jesus in Col. 1:15 & 1 Tim. 1:17:

Col. 1:15
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

1 Tim. 1:17
17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

So, one of the things we must remember about God is that He is spirit, and therefore invisible. This text also indicates to us that God’s nature is NOT material. God is NOT matter. The word “spirit” is the opposite of matter. After Jesus was raised from the dead he appeared to his disciples, they became troubled because they assumed him to be a spirit. He said to them:

Luke 24:39
39 “See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”

Jesus offered this proof to his disciples that he was NOT spirit. First, he told them to look at him, “see my hands and my feet.” You cannot see the hands and the feet of a spirit. Second he told them to “touch” him. You can not feel a spirit because a spirit is not made of matter.

This leads to the third thing that this passage teaches us about the nature of God, and that is He is not dependent upon matter. The human spirit is NOT dependent upon matter. The human spirit has consciousness apart from the body. The rich man could remember in hades, and he could feel in hades. His body was in the grave, but his inner man, the spirit, was conscious and capable of all the activities of conscience life (see Luke 16:19-30). Since man is not dependent upon matter for his existence, it is clear that the “Father of Spirits” is not dependent upon matter for his life or existence. The essence of life is spirit.

Since God is a spirit, since He is both invisible and immaterial, he requires worship of a similar nature. In other words He requires “spiritual worship” and NOT material worship.

Acts 17:24-25
24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things;

“Spiritual Worship” involves two things:

1) Worship in spirit. To worship God in spirit means that our worship must come from the heart. Worship must be a conscious thought process which is sincere. It must be free from insincerity, distractions, wandering thoughts. It is the result of deep meditations of the heart. Formality and ceremonialism cannot be substituted for worship in spirit. This requires the worshiper to take control of his mind while praying. We must not allow our thoughts to be distracted, or to wander. While studying the Word of God in worship we must NOT allow our minds to wander or to be distracted. While singing to God in worship we must NOT allow our minds to wander or be distracted. Our thoughts must be upon God in all of our worship activities. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper we must discern properly the Lord’s body.

2) Worship in Truth. We must also worship God in truth. Regardless of how sincere a person may be, if his worship is NOT in truth, or according to the truth (i.e. the Word of God, Jn. 17:17) his worship will not be acceptable. In the Word of God we are given specific instruction as to how to worship Him. We engage in these items of worship as the Word of God instructs in order to worship God in spirit and in truth. If we add to the items found in the Word of God our worship is vain. This was indeed the problem the Samaritans had with worship. Today some teach that any act which they feel sincere about is acceptable to God. Let me remind you that this passage teaches us that such a position is error. One must NOT ONLY be sincere, but his worship MUST be directed by the word of God. To do something in worship which is not taught in the Word of God is make the same mistake that the Samaritans made in Jesus’ day.

Remember, since God is a spirit, we must worship Him in “Spiritual Worship” which involves the whole mind and heart engaging in sincere and deliberate acts of worship as directed by the Word of God.

http://www.scripturessay.com/article.php?cat=&id=387

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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on March 22, 2011 at 6:22pm

Brother David,

 

A most excellent post !!! Thank you.

All glory and honor to Almighty God !!!

 

Grace and Peace.

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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on March 23, 2011 at 8:48am

Greetings Choco,

A person`s Prayer Closet can vary from time to time. Sometimes it`s in a lonely quiet place, sometimes a crowded bustling location.

I`ve had some of my most productive prayer sessions and study times in busy airports and active coffee shops.

 

Have you tried conversational prayer with the Lord?

It`s like being involved talking with another person. Of course in this case the other person is the Lord God Almighty. But, the format is the same. You might follow, and expand on Jesus` instructions in Matthew, Chapter 6. You might try paraphrased scripture in your praise, blended with thanksgiving for all He does in your life. Don`t forget to pray for other people`s needs.

 

And sometimes, you might just sit quietly, as if you were with a loved one, or best friend, and let the Spirit of God communicate  to you. He`s good at that if we let Him. Just bask in His love and grace.

 

Relax, Choco, don`t try too hard As the young folks say - "Chill out". God is patient with His children, a lot more patient than we are.

Let us know...........

 

Grace and Peace.

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Permalink Reply by Richard L. Broch, Sr. on March 24, 2011 at 8:23am

Dear Choco,

 

Another thought for you during your "quiet time" - Romans 8:26,"Likewise the Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself maketh intersession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.(27) And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intersession for the saints according to the will of God."

 

Sometimes, we just have to turn things over to our in-dwelling Comforter, because He knows what to say for us.

We`re praying for you.

 

Grace and Peace. 

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