True Worship in Spirit and Truth – Part 3

davidwpalmer

Oct 6

David W Palmer

(John 4:23–24 NKJV) "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. {24} God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

God is—currently and actively—seeking those who will worship him in spirit and in truth. He made the first step of reconciliation in Jesus, who opened the way for us to access his Father and to enjoy love, closeness, and intimacy with him. Now he invites us to come to him freely and enjoy his Fathering affection.

Transparent Intimacy

(John 5:19–20 NKJV) "Then Jesus answered and said to them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. {20} 'For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.'"

In this passage, Jesus is giving an account of how and why he healed a paralyzed man on a Sabbath day (See: John 5:1–20). Our Lord explained that he did it because he saw his Father doing it. He further explained in verse 20 how this happened: he said that his relationship with his Father was close, loving, and transparent. Jesus said, "The Father loves the Son, and shows him …." This reveals the intimate openness of their relationship. In that intimacy, Jesus and Father enjoyed a total candidness, in which Father revealed his intentions, his plans, and his actions to his son. This is the type of open intimacy God wants to have with all of his true worshippers; and this is why he is seeking such to worship him.

In the natural realm here on earth, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and Father are "in" us and "with" us (See: 2 Cor. 6:16 etc.). However, in the spirit realm of heaven, we are "in Christ Jesus":

(Ephesians 1:20, 2:6 NKJV) "Which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places … {6} and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Our astounding privilege of being in Jesus at God's right hand gives us unmerited and unlimited access to God's throne and to Father's "secret place" (Psalm 91}. See also:

(Ephesians 3:12 NLT) "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence."

(Hebrews 4:16 NKJV) "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

This invitation is so genuine, free, and unlimited that God says that although we live a natural life here in the natural realm everyday, we can literally and simultaneously abide with him there in his "secret place."

(Psalm 91:1 NKJV) "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

The best picture I have of this place of intimacy and safety is seen at the last supper. John was leaning on Jesus's chest; he felt loved, safe, and secure; he didn't feel judged, condemned, or inferior. In this intimate place of love and communion, John was able to hear things from Jesus that even the other 11 apostles could not (See: John 13:25). This speaks of the same transparent intimacy Jesus enjoys with his Father.

This is a place of love, intimacy, protection, and provision. God has made the invitation to "come boldly" and "dwell" to everyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior. Sadly, many hold themselves at a distance from the ultimate place of love; they fear rejection, condemnation, and that God's light will expose their sins, flaws, unworthiness, and inferiority. But Father already knows our shortcomings and has accepted us fully in the beloved—through the forgiveness and cleansing he has provided in Jesus. So, despite knowing all of our natural unworthiness, God invites us to come into the place where mercy flows, where grace is found, where his love transforms, and where he reveals his heart to us in transparent intimacy. Will you come today? He is holding the door open just for you.

(Hebrews 4:16 CSB) {16} Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.