Day 45: Scripture and Worship, God Sets the Terms

Scripture
"But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." John 4:23–24 ESV

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." Colossians 3:16 ESV

Confessional Summary
The Reformed confessions guard worship from human invention. Worship belongs to God, and He alone determines how He is to be approached.

The Westminster Confession of Faith states that "the acceptable way of worshiping the true God is instituted by Himself, and so limited by His own revealed will, that He may not be worshiped according to the imaginations and devices of men" (WCF 21.1). God commands what pleases Him, and forbids what does not. We have no liberty to add elements to worship simply because they seem reverent.

The Heidelberg Catechism grounds this in the Second Commandment, explaining that God "will have His people taught by the lively preaching of His Word," not by human invention or "dumb images" (Heidelberg Catechism 98). Worship is tied to the revealed Word, not to what we think might honor God.

The Belgic Confession identifies preaching the pure gospel as one of the marks of the true church (Belgic Confession, Article 29). Where Scripture governs worship, the church remains faithful. Where human custom rules, drift follows.

The Reformers believed God is jealous for His glory and protective of His people. He regulates worship because false worship harms the soul.

Reflection
Jesus tells the Samaritan woman that an hour is coming, and has already arrived, when worship will not be about location or ritual preference. True worship is defined by spirit and truth. The Father seeks worshipers who approach Him on His terms, not theirs.

Notice the word "must.” God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. Not a suggestion. A requirement. He commands it, and worship offered outside the bounds of truth, no matter how sincere, does not please God.

When the Word of Christ dwells richly in the assembly, worship takes shape. Teaching and singing are grounded in Scripture. Thanksgiving rises from hearts formed by what God has said. Worship is not driven by what feels moving in the moment. It is anchored in the Word that reveals who God is and what He has done.

The problem is misdirected worship. We write songs that focus on our spiritual journey instead of God's character. We replace the exposition of Scripture with talks that sound like motivational speeches. We measure a service by how inspired we felt, not by whether God was truly proclaimed. Then we call it faithfulness. But God does not accept what He has not authorized. He is not honored by zeal that ignores His instructions.

Application
Look at the worship of your church. Does Scripture govern your service, or has it drifted toward what draws crowds? Does the preaching exposit God's Word, or does it borrow biblical language for motivational content? Do the songs you sing declare God's perfections, or do they narrate your feelings about God?

Do not assume that because something is common it is right. Test what happens in corporate worship against what God commands. If elements have been added that Scripture does not require, ask why. Where elements that God commands have been diminished, ask what authority permitted that.

Worship is not the place for experimentation. It is the place for obedience. God has told His church how He is to be worshiped. Hold to Scripture. Everything else is negotiable at best, heresy at worst.

Prayer
Holy God, You alone are worthy of worship, and You alone have the right to say how You will be approached. Forgive me for the times I have treated worship as a matter of preference instead of obedience. Teach me to worship You in spirit and truth, anchored in Your Word, not swayed by feeling or fashion.

Let the Word of Christ dwell richly in my heart and in the life of Your church. Guard us from adding to what You have commanded and from neglecting what You require. In the name of Jesus Christ, who is our great High Priest, Amen.