In the Spirit and In Truth

The air is thick—almost alive—with a sacred weight, shimmering like sunlight through mist.

Before you, the King sits upon His throne of radiant gold.

His crown gleams with unearthly brilliance.

A glowing silken sash drapes across His shoulder.

His face is stern and kind—eyes like fire, yet peaceful.

The stillness around Him hums with expectancy, beckoning you to step nearer.

It’s just you and Him.

No noise—just a deep silence between you.

Suddenly, He reaches out to you.

You see the jagged hole in His wrist.

You hesitate slightly and back away.

A tear escapes your eye.

A smile creeps upon His lips, almost to say, “It’s okay, come up here.”

According to Merriam-Webster, the word ‘worship’ is defined as “to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power.”

Jesus provided numerous examples of prayer and worship throughout the New Testament, but in John 4, Jesus reveals the Father’s expectations for his worshipers:

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

John 4: 23-24 (NIV)

Isn’t it interesting that the Father is seeking His worshipers?

This all-knowing, all-powerful, all-loving God is seeking people to honor Him?!?!

Notice Jesus doesn’t say “forces”, “submits”, or “objects.”

The strong definition for the word ‘seek’, according to Blue Letter Bible, is “to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after.”

The Father seeks out His worshipers for a personal connection, dare I say… relationship.

Jesus weaves in the Holy Spirit’s power in worship so beautifully, most people sadly miss it.

The strong definition of ‘Spirit' in Blue Letter Bible is “the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son….sometimes referred to in a way which emphasises his work and power (the Spirit of ‘Truth’).”

There is no true and proper worship without the Holy Spirit.

Worship is a powerful tool that every believer has under their belt to fight the enemy.

A power tool that did not originate with said believer.

The One with the power is the Holy Spirit.

He’s (yes, HE, NOT IT!) the POWER of God.

The Creation of the entire world? Him.

Red Sea? Him.

Sun standing still over Gibeon? Him.

The Resurrection of Jesus? HIM AGAIN!!!

But why does God value truth so much? What does truth have to do with me telling Him, ‘I Love You ’?

It’s not even in my human nature to love God, so why start with the truth when a lie can be quicker and I can get on with my day?

GOD HAS EMOTIONS!!!!!!

I mean, who do you think gave us our emotions?

Truth is a part of God’s character and His nature.

So, the worshipers who say they love Him and know Him should also adopt His nature and character.

But wait.

That almost sounds like… we are not just called to worship Him, but to resemble Him.

Interesting.