Approaching God

I did not come to God on my own terms and neither can I bring others to him on my or their own terms. I must come to Him on His terms and in His prescribed method. I can see this as harsh and restrictive, or I can see this as being humble, respectful, and honoring.

We have all have made the mistake of being flippant or fearful when approaching God and do the same when bringing people to Him. It seems that we swing back and forth from flippancy to fear and sermons can be heard on both extremes. These extremes are the cause of many staying away from God altogether.  The narrative commonly known as, "The Woman at the Well", in John chapter 4 helps us understand how Jesus defined the appropriate approach to God. As you read the narrative please keep in mind the the manner in which God called His people to approach Him was temporary. The Old Testament method of worship was to prepare a people to be used of God to bring about the Messiah. Once Jesus came, the whole method of approach changed because it was fulfilled in Him. 

The Jews of Jesus day that rejected Him as Messiah would never had recognized this change and neither would the Samaritans who were rejected by the Jews because of their mixed racial heritage. Thus when Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman, He is defining our approach to God.

1. Jesus defines who can be accepted by God.

In Jesus day Samaritans where told that they were not welcome in Jerusalem and thus could not approach God in the Temple. They were a rejected people but Jesus explained that Jerusalem nor the temple were the means by which to approach God. He explained that all who would worship Him in spirit and truth were welcome and that God was searching for such worshipers. This clears up the notion of geographic location or national heritage keeps people from approaching God. 

We can also notice here how Jesus invites all to approach God. First, by offering His Spirit which is the only way in which we can come to God. He then reveals the truth about our personal sin which fulfills the promises of God that the Messiah will reveal all things. Lastly Jesus invites us to approach God by revealing that He Himself is the fulfillment of the all of the promises of God. 

 

2.   Jesus defines what it means to approach God in worship. 

Here Jesus disposes the woman's excuse for not worshiping God and continuing to live in a sinful life-style. He speaks of approaching God in spirit and truth. By saying that we are to worship God in spirit, Jesus is explaining that there are not geographic or physical boundaries that would keep us from worship. Again I remind you that the Old Testament method for worship was to form a distinct nation that would then open the door for all to come to God in spirit and truth through the Messiah Jesus. Worship is not concerned with externals, but the inner person is the place of worship. 

When Jesus speaks of worshiping God in truth, He is clearing up all the misconceptions based upon the traditions of men based upon a wrong understanding of the commands of God. Each generation of Christians from the first century forward had its hang up concerning style and methodology. May we ever mistake these for worshiping in truth. 

3. Jesus defines what it means to bring people into relationship with Him.

As the disciples returned from their trip to purchase food, they encountered Jesus speaking with the Samaritan woman. To their surprise many of that city would begin to follow Jesus based upon the witness of the woman but more importantly their own encounter with Jesus. This teaching us that our witness can only go so far in bringing people into relationship with Jesus. We can make them curious, but only Jesus can truly convince people to follow Him. 

In conclusion, I wish to give you thought to consider. Consider your own misconceptions on approaching God and bringing people to Him. We must cast off the arrogance that demands God to accept any approach. Many say that it is arrogant for the Christian to believe that Jesus is the only way to God. I believe that it is not arrogant at all because it simply means that we have humbled ourselves to the point of coming to Him as we has called us. We cannot approach God however we deem appropriate.