In John 4, the apostle records Jesus’ conversation with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. She asked Him about proper worship, and asked whether the Jews or the Samaritans had it right. Her question was concerned with location. Was Jerusalem the right place? Or was the mountain located adjacent to the well the proper place to worship God?
Jesus’ answer was Jerusalem. “We know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22). More importantly, Jesus indicated an impending change, in covenant and worship. “But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24).
What characterizes acceptable worship to God under Christ’s covenant is not the location of that worship, but the manner in which it is offered. “In spirit and truth.” Notice the imperative here. They must worship Him in this way. If they do not, their worship is not accepted by Him.
Hence, there are two components to acceptable worship — spirit and truth. By “spirit” here is indicated the need for a devoted worship. Albert Barnes states it as “the homage of the heart rather than that of the lips.” Adam Clarke states that it “Must spring from the heart” that it “brings all his affections, appetites and desires to the throne of God.” The apostle Paul references “simplicity and godly sincerity” (cf. 2 Corinthians 1:12) regarding his interaction with the Corinthians. This phrase would well describe what it means to worship God in spirit.
The word “truth” indicates that the worship offered is limited to that which is authorized by God in His word. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17).
While these are two components, it should be understood that they are not separate. We would be wrong to say that it is not acceptable to worship God in spirit if we are not worshiping Him in truth. In truth, such is not possible. If we are not worshiping God in truth, then we can’t worship Him in spirit. Further, if we are not worshiping God in spirit, then we can’t be worshiping God in truth (in accord with His will. Let’s demonstrate this.
In Matthew 15:7-9, Jesus’ describes the worship of hypocrites. Interestingly, they claim their worship is an attempt to “draw near” to God, and to “honor” Him. However, Jesus says that their worship is not sincere, or with the proper spirit. He says that “their heart is far from Me.” Why is this? Because they were not worshiping Him in accord with His will! “And in vain do they worship Me. Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.” In other words, their hearts were not right (they were not worshiping in spirit) because they were not worshiping in truth.
Conversely, the church in Sardis had a name “that you are alive”, but “you are dead.” The reputation of the church was that of a faithful congregation. No doubt they were following the form of worship that was in accord with truth, but it wasn’t worship “in truth”, because their collective spirits were not involved (cf. Revelation 3:1-6).
Commonly, denominational worship is not devout because it is not in accord with truth. Too, worship that does not activate the spirit is not true worship. The two go hand in hand.
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