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I. WITH A KNOWLEDGE OF HIS TRUE CHARACTER. Otherwise it is mere Athenian worship. This is the great fault of the heathen. Hence the great importance of religious knowledge. This may be obtained from nature, and our own persons. And yet with all the perfections of deity before their eyes men do not like to retain God in their knowledge. But as man is a fallen creature, the knowledge which reason can furnish is not sufficient. Christ does not reveal His mercy, and show how sinners can be pardoned and restored. So God has revealed Himself in His Word, and now man is utterly without excuse if he do not know God and worship Him.

II. WITH REVERENCE. This sentiment is natural when we come before any superior, how much more when we come before God. This is no slavish or superstitious dread, but that by virtue of which God's children are distinguished from the wicked who have no fear of God before their eyes. God is a jealous God, and abominates levity. Reverence is the most prominent feature of angelic worship. How shocking then is familiarity in the worship of man.

III. HUMILITY. Nothing is more odious to God than pride, and nothing more acceptable than the contrite spirit. He dwells with such. It is most proper in regard to man's moral and God's exalted state, and upon it Christ pronounced his beatitudes.

IV. FAITH. Without this it is impossible to please God, and all worship must become an empty form. Its principal exercise has respect to Christ as the Mediator.

V. CONCENTRATION. Spiritual worship is interrupted by nothing so much as the wandering of our thoughts, and is one of the accusations brought against God's ancient people.

VI. FERVENCY. The crying defect of our worship is want of heart.

VII. SCRIPTURAL, with such rites as God has appointed, and those only. As to external circumstances, time, place, attitude, these should be regulated by the apostle's rule, "Let all things be done decently and in order;" but as it relates to the worship itself, nothing should be introduced but what is authorized by the Scriptures, such as prayer, singing, reading, administering the sacraments. "In vain do they worship Me," etc. "Who hath required this at your hands."

VIII. FREQUENCY. Men are not required to spend their whole time at it. But God should be worshipped morning and evening; and the Lord's day should be entirely devoted to the Lord's service. We cannot go to an excess here unless we make this duty exclude others which are equally incumbent. "Pray without ceasing."

(A. Alexander, D. D.)

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KJV: For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

WEB: For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh;