Monday January 2
Worship in spirit and truth
“God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and
truth”
(John 4:24)
A familiar Scripture in deed! If you’ve been a Christian for any length
of time, you have surely come across the story of the Samaritan woman and
Jesus. The strange encounter of a Jewish man and a Samaritan woman at the well
where secrets were brought to the light and the lesson regarding a very special
type of water. However, the question that prompted Jesus to answer with our
text for today is a most important one for any Christian interested in the
heart of worship.
The two components of true worship, according to Jesus, are spirit and
truth. These two pillars have characterized the various groups and/or
denominations throughout the history of the church. Our devotional will not do
justice for a proper treatment of these two ingredients. Suffice it to say,
that most churches struggle with the balance of these two components; the
churches that emphasize doctrine and teaching and others who emphasize the
experience and outward expressions of their faith were teaching of doctrines
may take a back seat.
As a framework for this devotional, I will be using a book by Sinclair B.
Ferguson entitled The Christian Life.
From the introduction, he writes, “For a
period of time it may be a great deal of doctrinal teaching received by
Christians and books, sermons and by other means, only to produce a reaction
from doctrine to experience… But in recent decades, observers have begun to
notice a new desire among Christians for a solid
foundation upon which experience may be built.”
Challenge: What kind of
worshiper are you? Do you value your “experience” over teaching? Or are you so
caught up in doctrine that you forget to experience His wonders? Let us seek
God in His Word for balance and wisdom as we venture out to become true
worshippers of His Son.
This Day in Christian History:
Jan 2 – birthday of “Basil the
Great” of Caesarea of Cappadocia (Turkey) – early church father and bishop.
Came from a wealthy Christian family; devoted his life to public service and
used his personal wealth to build the 1st Christian hospital for
lepers and many charitable works for the poor. Defended orthodox Christian
doctrines against heresies.
Memory Verse: (Sun Jan 1)
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you – Matthew 6:33
Ka mou kumi mu‘a ki hono pule‘anga, mo e mā‘oni‘oni ‘a‘ana, pea ‘e ‘atu
mo ia foki ‘a e ngaahi me‘a ko ia kotoa – Matiu 6:33
Bible Reading Plan: (52 weeks; 5 days a week)
Week 1 - Genesis 3-5; Mark 2
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