Parkstone

Bible Question: God is a Spirit. What does this mean?

Answer: The Bible begins with an awe-inspiring scene, for we are told that ‘in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.’ We cannot even begin to imagine one so great, one who could form this earth, and the 60 billion galaxies that surround it. The very thought is breath taking.

Isaiah puts questions to us that we might think upon such greatness, ‘Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, measured heaven with a span and calculated the dust of the earth in a measure? Weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or as His counsellor has taught Him? With whom did He take counsel, and who instructed Him, or taught Him in the path of justice? Who taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding? Behold the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales.’ (Isaiah 40 vv 12-15) He is thrusting these questions forward that we might understand how awesome is the God who calls to us. Such mighty power is beyond our understanding. Yet, oftentimes, we may feel that we are quite important in our little circle of friends, or in the family, or at work. The Bible helps us to understand how puny we are, but how blessed to be able to hear the Word of God as it teaches us.

We are taken further by the prophet as he continues, ‘I am the LORD, and there is no other; there is no God besides Me. I will gird you, though you have not known Me, that they may know from the rising of the sun to it’s setting that there is none besides Me. I am the Lord and there is none other.’ (Isaiah 45 vv 5-6). What majesty! He is unique, He is supreme. We can only bow in humility before such greatness. Some, however, look upon God as a benign old gentleman, seated somewhere in heaven. It is so wrong, as we have seen. The remarkable fact is that when we turn to worship Him, there is joy in heaven. What an inspiration for us! If he knows when a sparrow falls to the ground, He will certainly know each of us, and our desire to honour Him.

Next the prophet Jeremiah adds to our thoughts, ‘Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising loving kindness, judgement, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight, saith the Lord.’ (Jeremiah 9 vv 23-24). Human wisdom leads to man taking pride in his achievements, and his riches lead to his self-interest, which is idolatry. Therefore, in mercy, God gives us His Word, that we too may want to be as merciful as He is, and find the way of forgiveness. Our Bible gives us such knowledge, but it is useless if we do not let it work out in our everyday lives. We begin to see how necessary it is for us to be humble before so great a being, and to show gratitude as He calls us to salvation.

Think now upon that great warrior, leader and hero of Israel, Joshua. He led Israel after the death of Moses and as he drew near to his death said to all the nation, ‘Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord! …. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’ (Joshua 24 vv 14-15). He was so positive. It was a ringing challenge to Israel, and a grand example from a great leader. Likewise we realise that we too must come with reverence to serve in similar manner. There is no other way. Sincerity and truth MUST go together. Sincerity is useless if it is based on error. Truth is unique, but errors are multitudinous. How are we to find truth? The very first step is to bow in prayer and ask God to guide us. We can only do that when we are humble before Him.

Our Lord Jesus speaks to us very emphatically when He says, ‘The Lord seeks SUCH to worship Him.’ That is staggering. The Almighty wants us to seek Him. He is not a man, and neither is He like the pagan gods. He sees all and is present everywhere by His great power. Our very thoughts are known to Him. He will know if we wish to serve in sincerity and truth. If we really want to show an example like Joshua, there will be happiness in heaven. What privileged people God’s children are, and surely that thought should inspire us each day to seek for truth and to love God with our whole being. There can be no halfhearted service, for the call is ‘Be ye holy, even as I am holy.’ The true believer will separate himself or herself from a world that has no Biblical standards.

Some have said, ‘But I have no church in which to worship.’ Why do we need one when God says that He will dwell in our hearts? It may be helpful to have a place where a congregation can meet together to offer praise, but the call is to offer willing service every day, wherever we are. Come to God. He is our teacher, and we are His thankful pupils. His very words can live in our hearts, to His glory.

Each day, as we read what God has said, we can but wonder at the way the Creator made Himself known by wondrous acts, especially in relation to our salvation. His great plan culminated in the death of His dear Son who brought redemption to us, and opened the way to eternal life.

In John chapter 4 we realise that the Lord Jesus was made in all points like us. We see Him dusty, tired and thirsty. A Samaritan woman came to draw water from Jacob’s well, and in a kindly way he asked her for a drink. She seemed very curt in her answer, for the Samaritans did not like the Jews, and she told Him so in verse 9. In the lesson that followed the Saviour told her that God gave the water of life to His true children. Immediately her thought was that she could save herself coming to haul the water from the well if He told her how to get this particular water. She did not understand His teaching and he expounded it to let her see that in the Jewish Scriptures living waters were the description of the refreshing words of salvation.
( e.g. Jeremiah 2 v 13: Isaiah 55 v 1 ).

Next, Jesus asked her to fetch her husband, and she replied, ‘I have no husband.’ Immediately, the Lord said, ‘You have had five husbands, and your present partner isn’t your husband.’ Startled the woman exclaimed, ‘You are a prophet.’ She added, ‘Our fathers worshipped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.’ (Verse 20). At that point the Lord clearly demonstrated that we no longer need a place in which to honour God, for He is looking for the seeking heart, ‘But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him MUST worship in spirit and in truth.’ (Verses 23-24). The Jews knew the necessity for worshippers, and the One worshipped, to be of one mind. His mind is Spiritual in contrast to the fleshly thoughts of mankind. (See Isaiah 55 vv 8-9). All God does is directed to spiritual ends and His desire is for all to be part of this great spiritual life.

All who commit their ways to God in a true Biblical manner are included in the great plan of the ages. Does that not cause wonder in every seeking soul? Is it not a great privilege? Do we want to share in it with all our hearts? Soon mercy and truth will meet together eternally; and righteousness and peace will kiss each other. (Psalm 85 v 10). We want to be there. The glorious thought is that the true Christians can be presented faultless at the judgement seat, and be filled with exceeding joy. So in sincerity and truth, let us go forward together knowing the blessings that await us. Like the stout hearted apostle we too can say, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.’ Then, until our Lord calls us, we will never cease to worship in spirit and in truth.