When the Gauls first tasted the wines of Italy, they were so impressed by their sweetness that they would not just trade for this wine but resolved to conquer the whole land which furnished the grapes! Thus the sincere Christian does not think it is enough to receive samples of grace and comfort from heaven on special occasions, doing long distance business with God. No, he meditates on taking that holy and blessed place which is the source of these riches and looks forward to drinking the wine of the kingdom in the kingdom.
This kind of meditation raises the soul to climb nearer and nearer to heaven. The man who aims at the sky shoots higher than he who intends only to hit a tree. Paul said, 'I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus' (Phil. 3:14). Other people admired the apostle's spiritual achievements and would have been most unhappy had he never scaled new heights of God's grace. He admitted that he had not apprehended what he was running for. The prize does not appear at mid-way but at the end of the race; and ;Paul ran toward it with full speed.
Only the hypocrite shortchanges himself in the things among religious people; other wise he leaves it alone. He chooses enough good works and church attendance to be seen and respected and avoids socially unacceptable sins; but he would never bother to press in for a deeper communion with a holy God. He is like an irresponsible businessman who does not care much about making profits but is content merely to keep his store open stay out of jail, though engaged in a thousand compromising schemes.
You have seen the inside of a sincere heart; and after examining yourself in the light of these characteristics, your conscience will returen one of three reports. Conscience will condemn you as hypocrite; it will confirm your sincerity; or it will leave you in ignorance and doubt because you dare not accept your sincerity."
William Gurnall (The Christian in Complete Armour)
Most people just want to go to heaven for 'get out of hell' insurance. They do not believe that Jesus Christ is a 'rewarder of those that diligently seek him'. They do not want Jesus at all, they just want to feel good and be accepted by everyone. But, we are never promise in the Word of God a 'feel good life', full of sunshine and roses, accepted by everyone and their brother. Do not get me wrong, we are promise many blessings from the Lord, only if we are departing from iniquity and living in true holiness. But we are never promised acceptation from the world. Most in the secular and religious world are not striving for true holiness. They all want their "Best Life Now", not their best life later. They are not willing to suffer for the cause of Christ. They don't want to be rejected of men, because they like 'praise of man more than the praise of God.
"...The Lord knoweth them that are his. And let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2Tim. 2:19)
This same portion of scripture says if we purge ourselves from all iniquity we will be fit for the Master's use. Dear souls depart from all iniquity, there is great liberty and freedom in doing so. We need to be fit for the Master, in all sincerity, not defending ourselves. Like David, the man after God's own heart, laying all sin on the table. Opening our mouths, declaring our own sin as rebellion and witchcraft. Repentance is not a one time thing, at the moment of salvation, it is a daily occurance. It should be a daily occurance. We are to deny ourselves daily. Have you been hypocritical or insincere towards the Lord? The cure is.....repentance. It is that easy. The word says 'He is nigh to our mouth'. He is that close. Fall upon His mercy while there is time. There are not too many days!!!!
Only Jesus can do helpless sinners good. (Joseph Hart)
Amen and amen,
Zac
So good!
ReplyDeletePraise God for repentance and forgiveness of sin! Daily!