Bible Society of South Africa

Worship God in the Spirit and in truth – 12 August 2022

By Fanie Richter

Se(di)ngolwa (t)sa Bibele

JOHANNE 4

24Modimo ke moya, mme ba mo kgumamelang eka kgona ba mo kgumamele ka moya le ka nnete.”

JOHANNE 4:24SSO89SOBula ka mmadi wa Bibele

JOHANNE 4

23Empa nako e a tla, mme e se e fihlile, eo ka yona bakgumamedi ba nnete ba tla kgumamela Ntate ka moya le ka nnete, hobane Ntate o fela a batla ba jwalo ho mo khumamela.

JOHANNE 4:23SSO89SOBula ka mmadi wa Bibele

Often, we find it easy to worship – but sometimes in a wrong way.

In response to the Samaritan woman’s reference to the places where they “must” worship (John 4:20), Jesus wants to bring home to her that it is not about rules, but about the “how”. He comes to offer her (and, indeed, all of us) a total and eternal renewal through the enduring “spring of water” (John 4:14) with which the Holy Spirit nourishes us. (John 7:38-39)

This becomes even clearer when Jesus says, “I am the way and the truth and the life”, and that the Father “will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever.” (John 14:6,16-17) And that He, “the Holy Spirit … will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26) The Holy Spirit is thus connected to the truth and life as God intended it.

He lets God’s Light fall on our reality. With an obedient spirit (which is also part of worship), based on the truth according to the will and purpose of God, we will be led to live and work in worship, in the midst of joy and suffering as well as shortcomings and development, when we need honour, wisdom and love and must apply it. Through his Spirit, we, therefore, also worship God with such life and work.

“… for such is the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.” (cf 1 Peter 4:6b)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, let me live and work in worship according to the truth and purpose that your Spirit determines for me. Amen.

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