6-3-24<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2026 OK, don\u2019t rush to your concordance, or a God-Goes-Google if such a thing exists. I am not quoting chapter or even verse. But I believe I am citing the gist of what I honestly believe must be on His mind, sometimes. Or \u2013 stick with me \u2013 the essence of a lot of the Gospel message.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lord would not be so rude, but we know that His Son Jesus occasionally lost His temper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is bad enough that we, His children, tend to sin and rebel. But, for Christ\u2019s sake (I am being literal) \u2013 when He promises the Truth, gives us the Truth, proves the Truth, and by His Holy Spirit guides us to all Truth\u2026 why do we sometimes act in ignorance of the Truth?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Many Christians, \u201cbaby\u201d believers and longtime believers both, often begin their prayers by telling God how undeserving they are. In what they believe is humility, they confess their unworthiness. They paint a picture of approaching God nervously, conscious of their shortcomings. In their dirty robes, timidly approaching the Throne of a Holy God…<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I suggest that God hardly sees you at all when you pray like that. In the first place, people who pray in that attitude are not humble at all, but stupid. Well-meaning, perhaps, but mistaken. In fact, it insults God rather than honors Him. The Bible tells us that when we have Jesus \u2013 when we are \u201ccovered in the Blood\u201d of His sacrifice on the cross; when the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts \u2013 He does not see us first, but sees Jesus! He sees the Blood! He recognizes the Holy Ghost, which He sent as part of Godhead to, yes, dwell within us! And then there we are, children of the Living God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do you think that the Creator of the Universe, having spoken trillions of galaxies into existence, brought you into this world, knew your name since conception and counts the hairs on your head; that He desires that you commune with Him in worship, and grieves when you choose to sin; and Who, as a Holy God, cannot abide sin, yet \u2013 even before you repented \u2013 became flesh and dwelt among us\u2026 and was willing to have His incarnate Son suffer and die, taking our punishment on Himself\u2026 and then took the form of the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts\u2026 do you really think that<\/em> God would like to see you groveling before Him? Acting as if we are not the \u201capples of His eye,\u201d the joy of His creation???<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scripture tells us that when we have been saved and confess our sins, God tosses our transgressions, sins, and unworthiness into the \u201cSea of Forgetfulness.\u201d Those dirty rags are now robes of white. God could<\/em> remember all that makes us \u201cunworthy\u201d but He promises not to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2026 so why do we want to keep reminding Him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Get up on your feet\u2026 \u201cboldly approach the Throne of Grace\u201d\u2026 and let us act like we know who we are! Do we still fight the tendency to sin? Of course \u2013 but now we have the power, and the right, to approach God, confess, and be refreshed and forgiven. Even angels cannot savor that! God looks at us, but sees His Son.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I loved the way the old evangelist R W Schambach used to refer to the Savior \u2013 \u201cMy elder Brother, Jesus!\u201d Another reminder (read your Bible!) that we do not need intercessors to approach that Throne of Glory \u2013 not a Mary, not a Saint, not our dead relatives. YOU<\/em> are worthy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stand up\u2026 look at those beautiful robes you are wearing, and run to the presence of Almighty God! I\u2019m sure you will understand, if our Heavenly Father would hear you talkin\u2019 like you used to, He shouts a loving \u201cShut up, My child\u2026 and come to Me!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n + + +<\/p>\n\n\n\n