** What God is looking for in those who worship Him is a demonstration in their lives of the fruits of His Spirit. **

Date:   11/2/2017 8:31:26 PM ( 7 y ago)

John 4:23-24

God says we are to worship HIM in spirit and truth.
The woman and Jesus were discussing the merits of their worship.

Which was better, Mt. Gerizim or Mt. Zion?

Jesus, after confirming the unique position of the Jews in God's plan, tells the woman that the Samaritans' worship was deficient. It was ignorant because they rejected all the Old Testament except the Pentateuch, and her ancestors were guilty of syncretizing
{verb (used with or without object), syncretized, syncretizing.
= 1. to attempt to combine or unite, as different or opposing principles, parties, opposite things etc.}
what truth they had with forms of worship brought from their ancestral homeland.

God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and truth.

Being spirit, God is not confined to material things, so idols are totally irrelevant as worship aids.

Being spirit, God is not confined to places, so even Jerusalem is irrelevant as a place of worship.
His Spirit permeates the entire universe (Psalm 139)!

Being spirit and a purposeful God, He is pleased only with what resembles Him.
Thus, worship must be of a spiritual nature. The essence of true worship of God must be on His terms and in accord with His nature.

It must spring from a knowledgeable, devoted heart under the influence of His Holy Spirit.

What God is looking for in those who worship Him is a demonstration in their lives of the fruits of His Spirit.

Love of Him, love of the brethren, joy in living, peace through the security of living by faith, and faithful loyalty in keeping God's commands.

John W. Ritenbaugh
Thanksgiving or
Self-Indulgence?






 

Popularity:   message viewed 925 times
URL:   http://www.curezone.org/blogs/fm.asp?i=2389784

<< Return to the standard message view