Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father.  22 You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews.  23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers 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.” John 4:20-25 NKJV

Jesus told the Samaritan woman that the Father seeks a certain kind of worshipper—a true worshipper. A true worshipper worships God in spirit and truth—whenever and in whatever—in a pandemic, in a storm of life, during unemployment, a family crisis, sickness, and even death of a loved one or friend. Circumstances don’t change a true worshiper’s reason to worship, because true worship isn’t about religion; it’s all about true faith in God.

Worship is commonly defined as the expression of reverence to God for who He is. It’s more than the start and the end of a song; it’s deeper than a feeling; it isn’t confined to a Sunday worship service. It must be our first response in any circumstance when walking by faith as a lifestyle. For me, worship isn’t not just what I do, but it is who I am. So what is true worship, and what does it require?

True worship, according to the Apostle Paul, necessitates worshipping with a renewed mind. He beseeched the Roman Christians, “by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service [worship]. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom. 12:1, 2).  Worshipping with a renewed mind involves engaging one’s body, soul, and spirit (Matt. 22:37), with the help of the Holy Spirit, according to the truth of God’s Word.

True worship requires an engagement of your human spirit. Why? Because man is the only earthly creature that God created with a spirit, in order to worship God (Gen. 2:7). It also requires worship in the Holy Spirit. When you are filled with the Holy Spirit, heart-felt worship naturally flows to the Lord (Eph. 5: 18; Phil. 3:3). And, true worship must be centered in Jesus Christ who is the Truth (See John 8:32; 14:6; 17:17).       

True worship involves your mind, body, soul and spirit. It is a direct reflection of your spiritual connection and relationship with God. It is a sacrifice that is personal and connectional. So, lose your “religion” and find true faith and offer God true worship. Worship Him in spirit and in truth!