Last week we left off with the question, 'What does it mean to worship GOD in spirit and in truth?' JESUS told the Samaritan woman that, “24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth,” John 4:24, NKJV.
The word used in Greek is προσκυνέω proskyneō, which means, “to worship, pay homage, show reverence, to kneel down (before),” (The STRONGEST STRONG's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible written by James Strong, LL.D., S.T.D., fully revised and corrected by John R. Kohlenberger III and James A. Swanson, published by Zondervan, 2001: Grand Rapids, Michigan). Moses instructs the Israelites on how to worship by summing it up in one sentence, “5 You must love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength,” Deuteronomy 6:5, NJB. This is repeated by JESUS in the Gospel accounts of Matthew 22:37, Luke 10:27 and Mark 12:30.
Worship is a condition of the heart and a way of life that honours GOD above all else. It begins with a love for GOD rooted in reverence, adoration, thankfulness and obedience. We cannot worship GOD without the Holy Spirit because it is the HOLY SPIRIT that teaches us truth and enables us to live it out.
JESUS says, “13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth,” John 16:13, NKJV. The Apostle Paul states, “16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh,” Galatians 5:16, NIV. “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control,” Galatians 5:22-23, NIV.
It is important to listen to the voice of the HOLY SPIRIT in order to worship GOD by obeying Him and walking in His truth. GOD has a plan and a purpose for our lives, and it is only through faith in the SAVING WORK OF JESUS CHRIST, and by the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT that we will be able to know it and accomplish it. So, exactly what is the HOLY SPIRIT? Join us next week as we introduce Him from both the Old and New Testaments.
4 comments:
It is wonderful to have you back on the scene. Praise God! I enjoyed the "Jesus Series" tremendously. I am already excited for your input on the HOLY SPIRIT Series. God bless and keep you both.
Thank you, Anonymous, for your words of encouragement! We continue to pray for the Holy Spirit to lead us, guide us and to teach us the truth of God's word so that we may faithfully obey it! Abundant blessings upon you!
Wow! Well defined. As a worshipper growing in the Lord, this post really was significant for me.......took some notes too! I am always so blessed by your posts. Thank you.
Anonymous #2, thank you for the words of encouragement! May the LORD use you mightily to worship His Holy Name and bring Him glory as you continue to grow!!!
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