“But a time is coming and is already here when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [from the heart, the inner self] and in truth; for the Father seeks such people to be His worshipers.” – John 4:23 (AMP)
On a hot afternoon in the village of Sychar which belonged to the Samaritans, Jesus and His disciples journeyed thus, and because they were hungry, He sent his disciples to buy food that would be enough for all of them to eat and be nourished while He sat by Jacob’s well which was there. Anon came a woman to the well to fetch water and Jesus started a conversation which would change how worship defined and seen forever. Jesus asked water of the woman and she didn’t want to give because Jesus was a Jew and at the time, there was enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans. Jesus went ahead to tell her of His divine power to give her water that won’t make her thirst again.
Then the woman redirected the conversation to the matter of worship after she affirmed Jesus to be a prophet. It was in this context that Jesus gave her the right perspective to worship. The woman was about worshipping God on the mountain and in Jerusalem is where they ought to worship but Jesus replied that it is neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem that worship would take place but acceptable worship takes place in the spirit and it must be in truth.
The heart is the first place where worship must take place. The Holy Spirit on the inside of the believer works transformation in the heart and thus present it to be aligned with God. A heart that is not aligned with God or a heart that is not being transformed cannot give God an acceptable worship. This is a truth that must be allowed to permeate the understanding of every believer.
“…but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]” is the instruction of Apostle Paul in Romans 12:2.
It is important that you subject your heart to the process of transformation which the Holy Spirit does in the believer. Many believers have stopped growing, in other words, they’ve stopped yielding to the Lord as He prompts them in the journey of becoming more and more like Him. Be intentional in yielding to the Lord. Let your heart be tender to allow His working upon you, then and only then can you truly worship the Lord.
Practical Application: What processes have the Lord subjected you to which you have not seen through? How well do you yield to the Holy Spirit as He prunes and makes you?
Confession: I am of Christ, I submit myself to His power to work transformation in me. I belong to the Lord and I am a generation of those who seek the Lord in spirit. I am aligned to His will for me and I walk worthy of His grace upon my life.
Related Scripture: Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 3:18
Bible Reading: John 4
