Worship in Spirit and Truth

Summary of Worship in Spirit and Truth: Jesus’ fulfillment of Old Covenant Law also included the sacrifices of worship. In the New Covenant, rather than offering physical sacrifice, we worship in spirit and truth. Instead of celebrating the harvest festivals, we are the harvest; instead of worshiping at a temple, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Instead of offering physical sacrifices through a priest, we are a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices that honor God and minister to others. 


Our worship is based on responding to the spiritual blessings we have received in Christ. Having been saved from death and given the gift of eternal life, for example, we are to live the rest of our lives for God. Our response includes not just how we relate to God, but also our relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Having been forgiven, we are called to be forgiving; having been justified, we are to refrain from judging others. We have been sanctified: body, soul and spirit. We are therefore to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we put the kingdom of God first in our lives.


 

Inside the Book:


Vertical response: Because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we are called to keep ourselves holy. Having been saved and set apart to God's purposes, we are called to offer our bodies to God as part of our spiritual sacrifice of worship, cleansing ourselves from the corrupting elements symbolized by leaven and honey. As the grain offering accompanied the burnt offering both morning and evening, we are to make this spiritual sacrifice on a daily basis.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship.” (Rom. 12:1) “Do not offer the parts of your bodies to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.” (Rom. 6:13)  “... let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” (2Cor. 7:1) “It is God's will that you should be holy: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” (1Thess. 4:3-4)


From: Chapter 4  The Grain Offering

Copyright 2011

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