Quote:
Originally Posted by SeekingOne
How are you interpreting that? Not a challenge, just curious how this is fleshed out? Here is the scripture in context, it isn't talking about theology....
Amplified: John 4:20 - 24
20 Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain, but you [Jews] say that Jerusalem is the place where it is necessary and proper to worship.
21 Jesus said to her, Woman, believe Me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither [merely] in this mountain nor [merely] in Jerusalem.
22 You [Samaritans] do not know what you are worshiping [you worship what you do not comprehend]. We do know what we are worshiping [we worship what we have knowledge of and understand], for [after all] salvation comes from [among] the Jews.
23 A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers.
24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). |
Several things here. First, context is important, but Jesus made many statements that stand on their own. One that is often quoted is "If you have faith as the grain of a mustard seed". This statement came after the disciples asked the question, "Lord, increase our faith." While people often quote this without mentioning the context, the statement still stands on it's own.
Notice that He said, "God is a Spirit" with a capital S. However, He also said "those who worship Him must worhip Him in spirit" little s. I am on debatable ground here, but I believe that we can only get to God through our human spirit. Once our spirit conquers the flesh, we can pray in the
Spirit.
Now, the word truth can also mean reality, but no translation besides the Amplified Bible, translates this word as reality. However, let's assume for a second that this word should be reality. It doesn't really change the facts. In order to worship God, you must worship Him in spirit and with an understanding of who He is.
Hebrews 6:11 "For without faith it is impossible to please Him. For he that cometh to God MUST believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."
God can be insulted. The disciples woke Jesus up because they were in a storm, but they didn't wake Him up to calm the storm. They wanted Him to bail water. Jesus was insulted and that is why He said, "Oh ye of little faith." I could also bring out the example about the man with the demon possessed son. Look at the following passage:
Mark 9:19-24 (New Living Translation)
19 Jesus said to them,[a] “You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.
21 “How long has this been happening?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.
He replied, “Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.”
23 “What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”
Jesus can be insulted, so we must be careful to worship him sincerely. In spirit and in truth.
I am with you on this one.
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