Worshipping In Truth

  

I continue this week on the theme of worshipping God under the New Covenant.  Jesus said there was time coming when we would ‘worship in spirit and truth’.  To worship Him in truth speaks to the fundamental truths of the new covenant position we have by faith in Jesus. Jesus said ‘I am the way’. These truths ‘make a way’ to enter into the holy of holies; to approach the throne of grace.

First, to worship Him ‘in truth’ means we worship from a position of righteousness.  Christ is the end of the Law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (Rom.10:4).  This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe (Rom.3:22).  Sin separated God from man from the time of Adam until the time of Jesus. Sin was and is ‘unrighteousness’. However, from the cross forward sin no longer separates believers from God because Jesus took all sin and became sin on our behalf.  Now we have righteousness in our spirit-man because we believe in Jesus. We are righteous; therefore we worship from that position of righteousness, His righteousness is IN us!

Second, we worship as ones holy and worthy to enter the holy of holies, i.e. to come close to God.  Under the Old Covenant sacrifices of blood would come from animals deemed worthy. Jesus was the perfect or worthy sacrifice of atonement for sin, thus positioning believers to be made holy and worthy to enter the presence of God. He sets aside the first (covenant) to establish the second (covenant). And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Heb. 10:9, 10) Further on in Hebrews it says…..because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. (Heb. 10:14)

Third, we worship as sons of the Father. Jesus is the first born of many brothers (Rom. 8:29) We believers are the second born, i.e. the second to experience resurrection life through being ‘born-again’. Therefore we approach the Father from the truth of being a ‘son’. Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become sons (children) of God--- born not of natural descent, nor of human decision, or a husbands will but born of God.(John 1:12, 13)  Think of how young boys and girls adore their Dad. They brag about him at school. They desire to be with him…..just in his presence while he is working or playing. As sons and daughter we worship our Father knowing we are family members like Jesus. We worship knowing the Father loves his sons and daughters completely and unconditionally. This powerful position of truth under the new covenant frees us to worship freely!!

Lastly, we worship with open access to heaven’s blessings. Jesus made a way where there was no way. Jesus said he was ‘the way, the truth, and the life’.

Jesus made the way past the veil of the holy of holies to the mercy seat of the Father. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us his very great and precious promises so that you may participate in the divine nature…… (1 Pet. 1:3)  As sons and daughters we come to Him and have BEEN given His blessings, favor, abundance and provision for life. All we do is receive them!

Praise be to our Father that we can worship Him in spirit and TRUTH!  We live in a time and dispensation of great freedom, great responsibility, and great blessing. Worship Him today in TRUTH!!!