"These [in Berea] were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." - Acts 17:11
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(24) "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

New American Standard Bible copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

The second commandment deals with how we worship. The worship of God involves the totality of life, and thus we cannot confine it to a particular location or concentrated in a mere hour or two on a given day.

Our focus in worship should be on imitating Him in the totality of life. We are to use no material aids in doing this because no one can capture in a work of art what God is. God wants us to concentrate on what He is, not on what He looks like. However, given human nature's powerful attraction to the physical and material, it is difficult for a person to renounce their dominance over his life. A person's first step backward from conversion is often to become grudgingly willing to share time and energy that should go to God with someone or something else.

When asked what the first and great commandment of the law is, Jesus replied, quoting Deuteronomy 6:5, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37). Anything less will affect the quality of our worship. This is a high pinnacle to reach for, requiring a lifetime of growth in wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and character built by overcoming the world, the flesh, and the Devil.

— John W. Ritenbaugh

To learn more, see:
The Fourth Commandment



 

Topics:

Godly Wisdom

Great Commandment

How we Worship

Overcoming

Overcoming Human Nature

Overcoming Satan's Influence

Overcoming World's Influences

Process of Spiritual Growth

Quality of Worship

Second Commandment

Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Growth, Process of

The Second Commandment

Worship

Worship as Imitation




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