Chapter 5 - WHOSE WORSHIP DOES GOD ACCEPT?

WORSHIP WITH SPIRIT AND TRUTH

Jesus went on to tell the Samaritan woman:  "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, because salvation originates with the Jews."  (John 4:22) The Samaritans had false religious ideas and accepted only the first five books of the Bible as inspired-and these solely in their own recension known as the  Samaritan Pentateuch.  Therefore, they did not really know God.   However, the Jews had been entrusted with Scriptural knowledge.  (Romans 3:1, 2) The Scriptures gave faithful Jews and any others who would listen what they needed in order to know God.

Actually, Jesus showed that both Jews and Samaritans would have to adjust their way of worship so as to please God.  He said: "The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him.  God is a spirit, and those worshiping him must worship with  spirit and truth."  (John 4:23, 24) We need to worship God 'with truth' by studying his Word, the Bible, and by worshiping him according to his revealed truth.  Are you eager to do that? 

Jesus emphasized that God wants true worship.  This shows that there are forms of worship unacceptable to Jehovah.  To worship God means to give him reverent honor and to render sacred service to him.  If you wanted to show honor to a powerful ruler, likely you would be eager to serve him and do what would please him.  Surely, then, we want to please God.  Rather than merely say, 'My religion suits me,' we therefore need to make sure that our worship meets God's requirements.

Next time:  DOING THE WILL OF THE FATHER

The Book - KNOWLEDGE That Leads To Everlasting Life, 1995