5-14-2023

Good Morning All,

    John 4:24; “God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 

    I know I shouldn’t have been listening.  I was eavesdropping on a conversation of a couple of gals in the booth next to me.  They looked to be in their late 20’s or so.  They were somewhat dressed up, so they were probably having a lunch break from their jobs.  I should have focused on my lunch or the other people milling around but I didn’t, actually I couldn’t stop listening.

    The first gal was talking about her church and the upcoming events there.  The second gal didn’t say much at first but then said she didn’t go to church.  The first gal asked if she believed in God and the second gal answered yes but stated that she was spiritual but not religious.  She went on to say that she had a “special” relationship with God that couldn’t be defined by religion.

    I found her description to be intriguing to say the least.  It would have been both interesting but probably frustrating to have a conversation with her.  She probably had just enough Bible to have twisted the verses to what she wanted them to say.  She probably watched enough daytime TV and listened to those self-religious ones who twist the Bible to say what they want it to.

    Unfortunately, when someone claims to be “spiritual but not religious;” they are probably not spiritual either.  They may have some of the Bible read but they really don’t understand it.  They cling to a false belief that they somehow decide who God is and that they can control God.  They may think the worship in spirit, but they do not worship in truth.

    Worshipping God in spirit and truth means to completely surrender to God.  We are to see that it is only by his grace that we receive forgiveness of sins.  God does not need or is impressed by our “spirituality.”  To God our greatness is non-existent.  Our sinful nature may pat us on the back and proclaim us to be a “good boy,” but the harsh reality of God’s law shows us our failures and our shortcomings.  We cannot approach God on our terms or on our merits; it is only by his grace that we can ever enter into his holy presence.

    We receive God’s forgiveness of sins by faith and that is all we have, nothing more.  God calls to us to listen to his Word and to speak to him in prayer.  This is done, not by our own volition, but by the Holy Spirit which guides us in our speaking.  This is done through faith, a faith that draws us to the cross in humbleness.  It is not a gaudy, self-centered act designed to make us “feel good;” rather it is an honest expression of thankfulness and praise to God for his gifts.  It is a faith that recognizes that we do not “fit God into our life” but rather that we surrender our life to God, to his plan and his will alone.

    God calls us to worship him in spirit and truth.  Hear his call and listen to his words of grace and forgiveness.

Dear Father, we often switch our falsehoods for your truth.  Forgive us when we do this and lead us back into your gentle arms.  Keep us secure in your truth.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen!

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret