Morning Moments

"That's just your opinion." Did you ever hear anyone say that? Of course you did, and it is how many wish to get out of accountablity to the Word of God. What if you say to me 3 x 9 = 27, and I reply, "That's just your opinion." What if you say water consists of 2 part hydrogen and 1 part oxygen, and I say, "No way, that's just your opinion." A fool convinced against his will is of the same opinion still. You cannot change the mind of one who is not open to TRUTH. Don't misunderstand, there are times and things about which we may and do have a valid opinion that differs from someone else, but when the plain sense makes common sense it is nonsense to seek any other sense.

In John 4:20-23, we discover a woman who was confused about worship. "Our Fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." In other words, "That is just your opinion, but I believe differently."

The place of worship was the issue with the Jews. Even when Jesus referred to Himself and said, "Destroy this temple and I will rebuild it in three days," they understood Him to mean the temple proper, not the temple person. Now let's be clear about something. Jesus went to (attended) temple. It was His custom to do so as the Scripture says. He referred to the temple as the House of Prayer and prayer is a vital part of worship but worship is a spiritual personal experience, not an edifice.

He ran those who were exploiting God's people from "My Father's house of prayer," which they had made a den of thieves. Some folks say, "I'm a Christian, but I don't have to go to church." If you are referring to the Methodist church or the Baptist church or the Presbyterian church, I agree, BUT if you are saying that you worship God and do not attend an assembly with other worshipping Christians, you are WRONG!

The "church" building is merely a common edifice where people agree to assemble for corperate worship and Bible study. It is not to say that you cannot worship and study at home, on the lake or where ever, BUT you cannot be obedient to the Word of God and forsake the assembly of and with other believers.

Jesus is saying to this woman, "Sure you can worship here or there or wherever, because worship is not a place." God is Spirit and they who worship Him MUST worship Him in spirit and truth. "Church" is merely a place "set apart" for people of God to gather for "corperate" worship, Bible Study, prayer and fellowship.

We may have a beautiful "place" in which we may worship, but we do not worship the place. "Where do you worship?" one may ask referring to the place, but that is not the point really. The point is WHO you WORSHIP.

PRAYER: Lord help me to remember that a few ladies gathered for worship at the riverside in Philippi. Help me to remember that the early body of believers met in homes. But O Dear God, help us all to stop squabbling about the place and worship the PERSON of our LORD JESUS CHRIST who loved us and gave Himself for all of us.