Authentic Worship

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24.

We are no longer under the law but by grace. We share in the glory of the new covenant: “Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!” 2 Corinthians 3:7-9.

We don’t worship out of obligation, rites or rituals, rather we worship because we have a deep longing from within our heart in spirit and truth to love and adore God. Authentic worship is to learn his ways and to follow them. Authentic worship glorifies God and lifts him up: “I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.” Psalm 9:1.  

God knows the motive of the heart. Authentic worship does not seek the approval or admiration from others, rather authentic worship offers sincere praise, thanks, meditation and prayer: “I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.” Psalm 17:6.

We worship in truth with direct access to God through Jesus Christ. We worship God in the present: “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.” Psalm 16:11.

God is looking for authentic worshippers who will worship him completely wherever they are and all that they do. We don’t worship to make ourselves feel better trying to clear the conscious: “Hear, O Lord, and my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer, it does not rise from deceitful lips.” Psalm 17:1.

We do not worship God while attending church service or meeting only. We worship God in spirit and in truth. The Bible says he is a pure spirit: “The Most High does not live in houses made by human hands” Acts 7:48. “And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else” Acts 17:25.

Therefore, authentic worship is what God seeks: pure, holy, spiritual worship. He wants what the soul offers rather than the body. His desire is our honor, respect, admiration, devotion and celebration of the heart rather than from the lips: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of the heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14.