"Can" We or "Do" We Worship in Spirit and Truth

The “worship wars” that continue to divide those calling themselves Christians continues because of the misunderstanding of worship and the immaturity of those calling their particular paradigm of worship the correct one. Those seeking to mature in Christ and put love and unity above their particular methodology must continue to seek God’s truth in their relationship and not man’s desires. I would offer the following thoughts for your continued study.

“Can” we or “Do” we Worship in Spirit and Truth?


Jesus told the Samaritan woman in John 4 that God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth because God is Spirit. She had asked the question about “where” was the proper place to worship God. Obviously, she was seeking a relationship with God based on the proper place and how she could physically come into God’s presence by her own or others actions. Jesus, understanding that worship under the old covenant was based on a physical place and procedure to come into the physical presence of God, now relates the fundamental change to this relationship. It will no longer be done in a physical place or by physical acts of men or priests but God will grant access to each through the sacrifice of His only son. Now, because of this truth, we gain access without physical worship but spiritually by Jesus’ own access to the spirit God.

This statement by Jesus is further explained in the writings to the Hebrews, especially in chapters 9 and 10. The writer tells of the old covenants regulations for worship and Holy place here on earth. He then tells us of the new covenant’s tent not made with hands when the Messiah appeared and how he entered the Holiest place once and for all by his own sacrifice. The writer says that the “Messiah, who, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God as a sacrifice without blemish, will purify our conscience from works that lead to death, so that we can serve the living God!”

So the question is, “can” we worship in spirit and truth or “do” we worship in spirit and truth because of Jesus’ sacrifice? What I mean is, is it OUR doing in physical worship that is done in spirit and truth or is it worshipping in spirit and truth BECAUSE we believe that Jesus’ sacrifice takes away our doing something physical for God to gain access. The truth is that Jesus offered this sacrifice of worship and by believing that and trusting God, we accept it and gain access to God who is spirit. If it’s Jesus’ doing, then why are so many people going to a place and time to “worship” God, as if they are required to? They seem to think it is their responsibility to “worship” God in spirit and truth not understanding what Jesus has said. They seek ways to be “more spiritual” in their worship services thinking that they are the ones who make worship spiritually better or more pleasing to God. Jesus pleased God by his sacrifice for all of us. We cannot make that reconciled worship better although many try to come up with their own physical worship instead of trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice for us. It is no wonder that not one New Testament scripture or teaching suggests believers should meet together to worship God in a physical place and time or with physical acts. God is spirit, and he seeks for us to gain access to him in spirit by this truth.

Paul points out in Romans 12:1 that our sacrifices are pleasing to God but those sacrifices are not what puts us into His presence. Jesus’ worship does that for us. Thank God! Our sacrifices, doing good and sharing with others, are the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. The fruit of loving others is the one thing that we can do that glorifies God and is the only thing that Jesus specifically commands of us.


Don Campbell