How does John 4:22 encourage us to seek truth in our worship practices? Setting the Context Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. Samaritans had altered the Old Testament canon and established rival worship on Mount Gerizim. Into that backdrop, Jesus says: “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.” (John 4:22) Truth Identified • “What you do not know” – worship disconnected from God’s revealed truth • “What we know” – worship grounded in the full revelation entrusted to Israel • “Salvation is from the Jews” – God’s redemptive plan flows through the covenants, prophets, and ultimately the Messiah promised in Scripture Worship Anchored in Revelation • Genuine worship is inseparable from God’s self-disclosure in His Word (John 17:17) • Altering or ignoring that Word leads to ignorance, even if zeal is present (Romans 10:2) • God insists on both spirit and truth (John 4:24); sincerity alone is insufficient Practical Implications for Today • Measure every worship practice by the clear teaching of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17) • Prioritize biblical preaching, reading, and singing so the congregation “knows” what it worships • Reject additions or omissions that contradict the whole counsel of God (Deuteronomy 12:32) Guardrails Against Error • Test lyrics, liturgies, and traditions by the written Word (Acts 17:11) • Avoid syncretism—blending biblical elements with cultural or mystical innovations (Colossians 2:8) • Recognize that heartfelt emotion must flow from doctrinal accuracy, not replace it (Psalm 119:160) Encouragement to Grow in Truth • Regularly study the Scriptures that reveal the Savior who came “from the Jews” (Luke 24:27) • Let truth fuel gratitude: God has made Himself knowable, inviting worshipers to draw near (Hebrews 10:22) • Expect deepened joy as worship becomes ever more aligned with the trustworthy, literal Word of God |
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