To avoid discussing erroneous ideas about worship and focus forthrightly on true worship we begin this discourse with two encounters Jesus had early in his ministry.

The first encounter was with Satan following his return from a forrty-day fast in the wilderness. Undoubtedly, Satan believed that was a good time to tempt Jesus. He offered him bread and challenged his power and lack of divinity. In response, Jesus said to Satan:
             "For it is written, worship the Lord
              your God, and serve him only,"
                            Matt. 4:10
Jesus's second encounter was with a Samaritan woman he met at a well. She had come to fetch water. Jesus asked her for a drink of water. Her response evoked this response from Jesus:
           "You Samaritans worship what you do
            not know; ... the true worshipers will
            worship the Father in Spirit and truth.
            ... God is spirit, and his worshipers
            must worship in spirit and in truth."
                           John 4:22-24

These responses from Jesus make it clear as to the nature of true worship. It is also clear that "untrue "  or idol-attracted worship exists and it is not to be confused with true worship. The object or objects of untrue worship are anything and everything other than the Creator. Not only does true worship require God as the object, it must be expressed, in a word, "lived," in spirit and in truth.

Knowing and accepting these things, to reiterate, worship can now be understood simply without including erroneous or irrelevant information.

Worship is the adoring acnowldegment of the Creator as he is revealed in his glory that fills the heaven and earth - the cosmos. It is the praiseworthy response human beings make to Him as he is realized through religion (spirituality), through nature, through sciene and technology, through history, art, revelation, mystery, or human life.

God is pleased when humans worship him and the souls of worshipers are nourished with nutriment and other benefits that come from living in spirit and in truth. These benefits include good health, prosperity, joy, peace, happiness and the awareness of God's constant presence.

Worship Him in spirit and in truth. He is worthy
to be worshiped.
Worship Him and allow him to be the Supreme
Attraction of your life.
Worship Him now and in every now, the
Eternal Now.

Copyright 2010 by Uriah J. Fields

{You are invited to read more spiritual-uplifting and life-enhancing readings by Uriah J. Fields. Visit the web site below; next click on "Mutuality World Community Church.}