John 4:23-24, “23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”
To worship God in truth means, “to love and adore God by obeying His commands.” Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” The apostle John went as far as to teach, “Whoever says, ‘I know him,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person” (1 John 2:4).
True worship is not only done spiritually, but it is also lived out practically.
Some people claim to worship God by just singing at church or by listening to Christian music. Though these things can be good, that was not how God primarily wanted us to worship Him. Jesus commanded us to worship the Father in spirit and in truth by living lives that obey His commands. If you are really spiritual, you will a live holy life because the Spirit of God is a “Holy” Spirit. When you keep God’s commands, your songs of worship will be pleasing to God because you’re not just singing songs hypocritically. You’re singing songs that represent your beliefs and actions.
Someone might ask, “Where does truth come from?” Truth came first from Jesus because He is “The Truth” (John 1:14;14:6). Then, He gave it to His disciples in the form of the Bible (John 14:16). Lastly, the truth of God’s Word is made alive in our spirits by the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). When we truly know Jesus, read His Word and live in obedience to His commands by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are worshipping God in truth.
In many respects, prayer aligns with worship here because no prayer is ever pleasing to God unless it is accompanied with an obedient and humble heart (Proverbs 28:9). John Owens wrote, “The foundation of true holiness and true Christian worship is the doctrine of the gospel, what we are to believe. So when Christian doctrine is neglected, forsaken, or corrupted, true holiness and worship will also be neglected, forsaken, and corrupted.” We can never divorce spirit from truth. They go hand in hand, just like love and obedience.
When we combine “worshipping in spirit” (with everything in our heart) with “worshipping in truth” (in obedience to Christ’s commands), we can expect to be the kind of true worshippers that the Father seeks. Make time everyday to worship God in both spirit and in truth; don’t settle for anything less than God’s presence!
Reflection
Action
- Ask the Holy Spirit to examine your heart and expose any disobedience in your life to God’s Word.
- Repent of all sin and set your mind on doing all that God commanded you to do.
- Worship God today by obeying all His commands.
