Impressed
John 4:23-24 KJV(23) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
So what was the significant change to which Jesus referred? What was taking place even then that would authenticate worship as spirit and truth? In this particular instance of the word ‘spirit’, it’s as if there is direct opposition to religious acts and rather an incredible embrace of the heart with God Himself with no dependence upon earthly rituals. What Jesus seems to be saying is that in His presence is the ability to become so impressed with God that it would transform a whole life from one of serving the law to that of serving a relationship with a loving God of mercy.
My brother recently got to see one of our high school coaches that he hadn’t seen for over 20 years. While there were several coaches that were a part of our high school careers in Burlington, this particular one made you stand up a little straighter, talk a little bit different, and for some reason just become much more aware of everything you were doing. He was, and still is, incredibly fit and disciplined in many ways, and all of us guys, and especially the aspiring athletes looked up to him very much. Interestingly, my brother said that after all these years he still inspires that same feeling, that you somehow feel like being on your best behavior around him. He made an incredible impression on many of us that has carried through all these years even though we’ve moved far away and haven’t even made contact for some time. Something about that relationship with him transformed our perspective on life and set us on a path to pursue excellence in a way we may never have otherwise chosen. While the walk needed to be straight and discipline an important part of life, just the relationship with coach achieved what many rules and lectures might never have accomplished.
I believe this is similar to what Jesus was referring. Though there are many actions that should be a part of worship to God, He is really only looking for the ones that have come from an impression He has made on our heart and ultimately our conduct through a personal relationship with Him. There will be an authentic spirit of righteousness drawn from His personal presence that will result in uncompromising truth in worship living.
