*WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH*
*“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”* (John 4:24).
When Jesus told the Samaritan woman everything she had done, she could see that Jesus was a prophet. She asked Him a doubt where to worship God whether on that mountain as done by her ancestors or in Jerusalem as claimed by the Jews. Jesus replied to her that *the place is not important for true worship,* and God wants the true worshippers to *worship Him in spirit and truth because God is Spirit* (John 4:24).
Paul says, *”I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”* (1 Timothy 2:8).
We can pray anywhere with reverence and faith. Jesus stated that the essence of authentic worship is not found in places but rather in spirit and truth. Being concerned with spiritual reality is what it means to worship in the spirit. To worship in the whole counsel of God’s Word is to worship in truth.
The Psalmist says, *“Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!”* (Psalm 96:9). Regardless of our circumstances, we must always worship God because of His holiness. God created us again in Christ and is currently producing the lovely fruit of holiness in us. He loves us and sees us as holy and faultless in Christ. *We must worship God in the beauty of His holiness and in the beauty of our own holiness in Christ.* Is it not marvelous?
Jesus states, *“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”* (Matthew 15:8-9).
True and effective worship involves keeping the commandments of God wholeheartedly. Worship turns into vain if the laws of men are given importance. Outward worship is not accepted by God because He wants the worship to be with all our hearts.Many people worship without knowing who or what they worship.
Paul said to the Athenians, *”The One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.”* (Acts 17:23). What a pity that people worship traditionally *without proper understanding or conviction!*
The Bible declares, *“Worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”(Revelation 14:7). He who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water alone should be worshipped, not any other powerless being. *Do we worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness?*🔹 *Are we truly worshipping the LORD with all our hearts?*
The *LESSONS* we learn:
1️⃣ *The essence of authentic worship is not found in places but rather in spirit and truth.*
2️⃣ *We must worship God in the beauty of His holiness and in the beauty of our own holiness in Christ.
*3️⃣ *True and effective worship involves keeping the commandments of God wholeheartedly.*
4️⃣ *He who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water alone should be worshipped.*
Sol.Dr. S. Selvan