How We Must Worship

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 From: TFTW Bible College

Jesus makes it clear that we must worship God in two ways. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24) 

The idea of worshipping God “in spirit” can mean with the proper frame of mind, and with the right attitude. We should take our worship seriously. We should also do it sincerely. God can see our hearts, as Jesus showed us. Can we really offer God love, honor, and respect without being sincere? We may be able to fool other people, but God is not fooled. When we worship, we have a great opportunity to approach the Creator of the Universe and praise Him with love, honor, and respect for the wonderful things He has done for us and for the love He has shown us. We need to remember how much God has loved us and given to us throughout the entire worship service.

The idea of worshipping God “in truth,” simply means according to His word. Jesus gave a definition of what “truth” is. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17) When God speaks, it is true. God would be an unjust God if He did not tell His people how to approach Him in worship and then condemned them for doing it wrong! Instead, God has always shown people what He desires when approaching Him in worship. 

In the Patriarchal dispensation, Cain and Abel offered sacrifices to God. One person sacrificed according to God’s word and the other one didn’t. “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.” (Hebrews 11:4)

How did Abel offer a sacrifice pleasing to God? He did it by faith. How did he get faith? “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17) Abel offered by faith because he heard the instructions for worship God had given and he obeyed. Cain did not offer his sacrifice according to God’s word and his sacrifice was rejected.

In the Mosaical dispensation, laws were given to the people on how to perform sacrifices and how to approach God. One of those regulations was the use of a certain type of fire. Two men, Nadab and Abihu, decided to use a “strange” or unauthorized fire when approaching God. “And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.” (Leviticus 10:1-3) 

How did God react when those who approached Him did not follow His word? The same way He did when Cain offered an incorrect sacrifice, it was rejected! Notice that God talked here about those who “come nigh me.” God is talking about those who approach Him. So, what can we learn about approaching God in worship? We learn that Jesus was right. If you are going to worship God you must worship Him “in truth,” meaning according to God’s word. Cain, Nadab, and Abihu found out that God was not kidding.


a Christian, writer and homemaker

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