Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

Today let’s explore rational worship.

Romans 12:1 AMP (AMP) exhorts…
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your RATIONAL (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

Consider…
Merriam-Webster defines worship:

• To honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power
• To regard with great or extravagant respect, honor, or devotion

And Jesus told the woman at the well…
But the time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. In fact, that time is now here. And these are the kind of people the Father wants to be his worshipers. God is spirit. So the people who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

• John 4:23‭-‬24 ERV

So what does it mean to worship in spirit and in truth? That’s what we will try to briefly explore today.

First, let’s look at the spirit element of worship. In John 3:5‭-‬8 (AMP), we read…
Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

And the Apostle Paul gives us practical application of living by the spirit in Ephesians 4:21‭-‬32 (NLT), which reads…
Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the SPIRIT renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

So worshipping our Heavenly Father in spirit is really about living according to Godly thoughts and attitudes. It’s about intentionally being pleasing to God with everything we think, say and do.

Paul summed it up this way in Romans 8:5 (ERV)…
People who live following their sinful selves think only about what they want. But those who live following the Spirit are thinking about what the Spirit wants them to do.

It’s not about good versus bad thoughts and attitudes, rather it’s about God’s thoughts and attitudes versus ours. God is looking for people that make Him Lord of their lives.

Next we will look at the second element of Worship in John 4:24, which is truth. In John 14:6 (NLT) we read…
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

And John 8:31‭-‬32 (NLT) shares…
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

I humbly submit that worshipping in truth is about living according to the standard and teachings of Jesus Christ. Scripture that supports my conclusion include:

• Romans 8:29 (AMP), which says…For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers.
• And Philippians 2:5-8 (NLT) echorts…Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
• Also, Jesus Himself said, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” – John 13:34‭-‬35 AMP
• Lastly, Jesus said “If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.” – John 15:10 AMP

Going through these verses, and recognizing that Jesus demonstrated true worship while here on earth, makes me understand that He is our example and standard of true worship. Indeed Jesus was a living sacrifice that was pleasing to God!

As I close, I remembered more of Jesus’ words. In John 14:26 (NLT) He said…
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

So worshipping God in spirit and truth is really accomplished by letting the Holy Spirit lead every aspect of our lives as stated in Galatians 5:25 (NLT), which says…
Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Today, do the rational act of worship and do everything the Holy Spirit tells you to do.

Today’s song is…
My Worship
https://youtu.be/tYGxg2uUOJg?si=VJXXFGkE5hnHuYvk

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)