This new revelation was ushering in a new “hour,” which had indeed already begun. The worship which is to characterize that hour must be in keeping with the revelation that has formed it. God who is Spirit is seeking that worship as Father, so now to be acceptable worship must be “in spirit and truth.” Furthermore, notice the word, “must” (cf. Jn. 3:7, 14, 30; 4:4). Worship is not something optional, or to be varied as suits our tastes. God must be worshiped in the way He Himself prescribes. All else that may claim to be “worship” is no worship at all.

True worship is “in spirit”; that is, not in flesh, not in bodily posture. This word of our Lord cancels the traditional ritualistic and ceremonial line of things which has been a snare to so many. Our capacity to offer worship in spirit lies in the possession of the Spirit of God—the fountain of living water springing up into everlasting life—as is also indicated in Philippians 3:3. The Spirit of God may engage our spirits in true worship at any time and in any place; not merely in some sacred shrine or temple, as in Judaism.

Then again worship must be “in truth”; that is, in the light of all that God has revealed Himself to be in Christ. This negates the rationalistic line of things, which is also so common. Men speak, for instance, of worshiping “the great First Cause” in the light of the beauties of nature, while ignoring or refusing the truth concerning Him, as made known in Christ. Only in Him do we know the Father who is to be worshiped. If we do know the Father thus, our hearts are bound to be filled with worship of that spiritual nature which is acceptable to Him.