04-07-2008, 10:36 PM
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 | Moderator | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
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Besides applying the words to the matter (what) and the manner (how) of worship, Hugh Binning also speaks of an aspect which is rarely touched on, but I consider to be the principal lesson which Christ was teaching the woman of Samaria. For distinction sake I call it the *measure* of worship. Quote: |
But more particularly, the worship must have the stamp of God's spiritual nature, and be conformed to it in some measure, else it cannot please him. There must be a conformity between God and souls. This is the great end of the gospel, to repair that image of God which was once upon man, and make him like God again. Now, it is this way that Jesus Christ repairs this image, and brings about the conformity with God, by the soul's worshipping of God suitable to his nature, which, as it grows more and more suitable to God's nature, it is the more and more like God, and happy in that likeness. Now, "God is a Spirit, therefore," saith Christ, you "must worship him in spirit and in truth." The worship then of saints must be of a spiritual nature, that it may be like the immortal divine Spirit. It is such worshippers the Father seeks. He seeks souls to make them like himself and this likeness and conformity to God is the very foundation of the soul's happiness, and eternal refreshment. This is a point of great consequence, and I fear not laid to heart.
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Yours sincerely, 
"Illum oportet crescere me autem minui."
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