I Choose Today to Worship with Authenticity

In the last few posts, we have learned some Hebrew words, and their meaning, for worship: Towdah (תוֹדָה) – giving thanks to God for His provisions and blessings, and Avodah (עֲבוֹדָה) – we are also called to worship Him through our work and service, and  “Shabach” (שָׁבַח) – which signifies joyful and loud praise of God’s attributes and deeds, urging believers to openly express adoration and gratitude towards Him. Today, we are going to conclude our series with a Greek word for worship: προσκυνέω (proskyneō). This word conveys the act of showing reverence, homage, or worship towards God.

This word for worship comes to us from the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. She was expressing her frustration about the place of worship for Samaritans being different than the Jews, basically asking who was right. Jesus, on the other hand, was explaining to her it is not a “where,” but the “who” is being worshipped (God) and the heart of the worshipper that matters. He explains in John 4:23-24,

”But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”

In these verses, Jesus is emphasizing that true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, indicating that genuine worship is not merely a physical act but a deep, heartfelt connection with God.

The Message translation beautifully describes worship this way, ”…Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.” John‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Jesus is teaching her, and us, about the nature of true worship:

• Spirit and Truth: Jesus teaches that genuine worship of the Father is sincere, heartfelt, and from the inner being of the worshiper (“in spirit”), based on a genuine understanding of God’s truth, especially through Jesus Christ (“in truth”).
• God is Spirit: Jesus emphasizes God’s spiritual nature, calling for worship that transcends physical rituals, reflecting authenticity and depth from our hearts and souls.
• Seeking True Worshipers: Jesus teaches that the Father desires worship that is sincere and based on a genuine understanding of God’s nature, emphasizing the importance of heart condition over external acts.

These verses are calling for us, true worshippers, to examine the sincerity and authenticity of their worship. God wants us to willingly and genuinely worship Him with reverence, honesty, and wholehearted devotion, guided by the truth of His Word.

Overall, John 4:23-24 underscores the importance of a genuine, spiritual connection with God in worship, rather than mere outward observance. It invites believers to worship God with authenticity, sincerity, and a deep understanding of His nature and truth revealed through Jesus Christ.

As we reflect on these insights into worship, let’s purpose to worship God today with renewed authenticity and depth. Take a moment to consider how you can worship in spirit and truth in your daily life. Share your experiences and insights in the comments below. Let’s encourage one another to worship God genuinely and wholeheartedly.

So as we reflect on the past four posts about worship, how has it influenced your worship with thanksgiving, our work, with shouts of praise, and with authenticity in new ways? Have you put these areas into practice? If so, would love to hear how?