'The hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in truth; for such doth the Father seek to be His worshippers. God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in truth.'--John 4: 23, 24.
The context of this verse involves Jesus in conversation with a woman about where God is to be worshiped. She felt that a mountain in Samaria was a holy place and the Jews believed that Jerusalem was the proper place for worship. Jesus took the discussion to a higher level by declaring that the Worship of God was not bound to a location. In fact the location Jesus spoke of was one called "in Spirit and in truth".
In Spirit as opposed to in flesh or physical. The worship of God does not consist of outward shows of piety. Today we equate the worship of God with special religious services held in special buildings on special days. "God is a Spirit" Jesus declares. Therefore He is not limited to a house or location. He is everywhere present and nowhere absent.
In truth as opposed to falseness. The falseness here is the mere outward show of worship. What Jesus calls us to is not to worship symbolically but rather in reality. Much of what we call worship today is only symbolic worship. Let us no pretend to worship but rather worship in reality. Worship in truth.
Those who worship the Father must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. This is not optional. If we think that worship consists of engaging in a ritual then we are very much mistaken. The only way to worship the Father is in Spirit and in Truth.
The Spirit ushers us into true worship. For it is by Him that we have access to the Father through faith in Jesus Christ.
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