02/25/2019
Why is it that we go to our knees at the altar before God? Why do we call out the name of Jesus and go down in the waters of baptism as He did? Do we truly believe, or do we come here out of a fear of what lies ahead? Maybe we think it is safe to purchase a ticket just in case this God stuff is all true? Ask yourself my friend; “Why do I come, or why did I come?” If it is for any reason other than true belief then you had better seek Him more diligently because He knows your heart.
“But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."”
1 Samuel 16:7 ESV
I go to a large church with several young pastors. One Sunday morning, many years ago, my wife and I attended a Sunday School class taught by one of them, who was fairly new to the church. He was a handsome man who knew and recited scripture with power and ease. He was the darling of many as they listened to him and sang his praises saying “This is a man of god!” So we sat through one of his classes, and as we did the Holy Spirit came over me, and try as I might to feel good about this young preacher... I could not. Over and over again I was told “He isn’t what he seems!” So I left his class that morning and we never returned to it. I was fleeing as if from evil. I had felt his heart and it was cold. God does not see us as men do, He looks straight into our hearts, and knows our schemes, our weaknesses, and the motives by which we approach him.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”
Hebrews 4:12-13 ESV
A little while later it was revealed that this man was sinning against the very lambs he was sworn to lead and protect. He was using his position in the church to take advantage of its wives and daughters, and had already destroyed or damaged several families. When what God had revealed to me that morning in Sunday School became apparent to the elders the preacher was called to repentance, but his arrogance would not allow it, and he would not ask forgiveness, or make restitution. He left our church taking his seeds of death with him to another church where, despite warning, those there were taken in by him, and it wasn’t until a few years later that his ways found him out yet again. As men and women, we see in one another what we want most to see, but God sees in us what must be seen... truth.
“And that servant who knew his master's will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
Luke 12:47-48 ESV
So all who came to know this man and the evil seeds he sowed, felt the lash to some degree alongside him for not discerning, and listening to the Holy Spirit as He gave them knowledge of this man’s heart. However, our fear should never be of the lash, or of God’s wrath, but of ourselves, because it is our heart, our disobedience, and our blind eyes and deaf ears that lead us personally to the whipping post, and bares our backs to take the lash. So have you come to the altar and baptism honestly... or merely as an insurance policy against what might be ahead? How is the faith within your heart... are you seeing it truthfully? Are you wheat, or chaff?
“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."”
Matthew 3:12 ESV
When we come to God, and proclaim Jesus as our Lord, it should be in true acceptance, and faith. If you come to the river of baptism, or the altar that bears the table of God without a pure heart... you might fool those who want to see you as being redeemed, but they will not be your judge. God judges, and He can not be fooled by appearances... He knows your heart. When judgement comes will he find faith in you... will he find faith in us... the Church?
“And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"”
Luke 18:7-8 ESV
So examine the motives that have led you to your knees, and make those motives right before God. Purify your faith, and make the prayers of your knees sincere, and righteous. Make certain that when God circumcises your heart he finds it healthy, and not rotten at its core. If you find that you are not as you are supposed to be then seek forgiveness, and cry out for mercy and the help of Jesus as one father did...
“And Jesus said to him, "'If you can'! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"”
Mark 9:23-24 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for leading me to the altar, and making a place for me at your table. I thank you for the purifying waters of baptism, and my faith that has brought me to be submersed there. If I have come to you for any unworthy reason, and my faith is suspect, or pretentious, then Holy Father help me in my unbelief, and make me righteous before you. Open my eyes Lord, and let my ears hear your voice as you call me. Bring me to you Merciful Father, and teach my heart to love you... not as I think I should, but as your will demands of me. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God, He who makes my crooked paths straight, and in whose Son I find the perfection of my faith. Praised be your name Father, even as I bear the lash, and take up my cross to follow Jesus... help me to endure anything in life that would bring me closer to you. In my redemption find your glory... now and forevermore!
Rich Forbes