When the Lord Jesus opened our eyes to His saving grace, we believed in Him. Gracious as He is, He turned us away from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. We received forgiveness of sins and found a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Him (Acts 26:18).
It was at this time that we were betrothed to one husband, to Christ, so that we might be presented as a pure virgin to Him. However, like Paul had to write to the Corinthian Church, I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, our minds may somehow have been led astray from our sincere and pure devotion to Christ (2Cor. 11:2, 3). We became adulteresses (Jas. 4:4). To use a contemporary word in today’s relationships, we ‘cheated’ on the One we were engaged and committed to.
We knew in our hearts that there could be only one master (Mt. 6:24) and we chose the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Yet somehow we allowed ourselves to be deceived; to think that we could straddle ourselves between two loves—God and the world. We became bold to legitimize such friendship with the world by using portions of scripture turning them to suit our convenience—what some term as the ‘prosperity gospel’. Our prayers now revolve around the blessings of this earth. The temporal has become our focus and the reason for us to run to God.
Dr. A. W. Tozer, in his message on cultivating the fellowship of the Holy Spirit spoke boldly saying: “I have discovered that some people are just not ready for this teaching of commitment and consecration and devotion to the highest will of God for their lives. They are still facing both ways.” He then goes on to describe the several kinds of Christians he had observed and in one instance says, “There are those who are most interested in Christianity for its ‘insurance’ value. Believe it or not, they want the care and protection that God gives them now, and they want avoidance of hell in time of death. They want the guarantee of heaven at last. To get these things, they seem willing to support the church, give to missions and show financial interest in church projects. Amazing, but true! Some people keep on supporting the church, and they even abstain from some gross pleasures because they want protection—they are interested in the insurance value of Christianity. They want what it has to offer.”
All this time we ignored the fact that when our gracious Lord turned us to Himself, He sought that we would give Him first place in our life. There should have been no other. God who sits enthroned forever (Psa. 55:19a) should have been the only Ruler, Master and Lord of our hearts and lives. Instead we chose to cuddle into a friendship with the world (Jas. 4:4). Instead of denying ourselves, carrying our cross and following after our Master (Lk. 9:23), we indulged in the lust of the flesh (1Jn. 2:16). Instead of keeping the lamp of our body, our eye, clear and focused on the treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal (Mt. 6:19-23); we succumbed to the lust of the eyes (1Jn. 2:16). Earthly commendations and the boastful pride of life (1Jn. 2:16) have meant more to us than the approval of the Father (Jn. 5:44).
In the gospel that God has called us to, the Church is a holy people, sanctified by the blood of the Lamb. She has been prepared so as to be blameless, as a bride eagerly awaiting the coming of her groom. She has not only been called to be a light to the world—Ambassadors of the kingdom of heaven but also a power in Jesus to break every chain of the evil one; God attesting her testimony concerning Him. Through her, God has purposed to shine forth the knowledge of His glory. Her life, full of faith and good deeds is her testimony; her dazzling raiment visible for all to see, to the glory of her Master. However, instead of flying like an eagle, the Church has been hopping around like a bird with broken wings. Oh the lament of not being able to walk in the fullness of the glorious and most marvelous plan that the Almighty God wrought about for us through His Son. Oh the sadness that we as a Church are not able to rise to the lofty heights that we can soar to by the great working of the Holy Spirit.
I believe that we need to get back to the first and foremost commandment in the Holy Scripture and that is to love the Lord, our God with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind (Mt. 22:37, 38). Obedience to this commandment puts God supreme over all else. Nothing and no one gets that place—not our self-life, nor our earthly possessions; not our careers, plans or dreams nor the opinions of those around us—nothing takes higher place. While God has given us all things to enjoy, we recognize that He is our only possession. While we work hard on this earth; strive to excel in whatever we do; seek God to prosper the work of our hand, yet all the time we are willing to lay our trophies and achievements at the feet of the Master for His will and His pleasure. It is this total commitment and sincerity that the Lord God is looking for in the Church and for it to happen it must begin with us as individuals.
Let us rise beyond, “these people honour Me with their lips but their heart is far away from Me.” (Mt. 15:8) Let us move from newborn babies who long for the pure milk of the Word (1Pet. 2:2) to hunger for solid food (Heb. 5:14) that God, the Holy Spirit is able to feed us. Let us not be satisfied with the experience of the outer court but strive for that of the Holy Place, for which reason the veil was rend (Heb. 6:19). Like the Apostle Paul, let us press on, reach forward and lay hold of that for which also we were laid hold of by Christ Jesus (Php. 3:12, 13). There is a wisdom that is not of this age (1Cor. 2:6); a hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory (1Cor. 2:7)—things which a natural man does not understand because they are spiritually appraised (1Cor. 2:14). But to the mature, to those whose hearts are set like a flint to honour God, God is revealing them through His Holy Spirit—things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard (1Cor. 2:9, 10).
The Lord Jesus has assured our hearts while exhorting us to seek the things above, saying, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom.” (Lk. 12:32) The Holy Spirit who has always been behind the Church is still there to strengthen, empower and fulfill the purpose and will of God for the Body of Christ. God will fulfill His purpose. Nothing will stop Him (Job 42:2). Let us however ensure that we are not found wanting. Let us run in such a way, as not without aim. Let us box in such a way as not beating the air. Let us buffet our body and make it our slave, lest possibly after we have preached to others we ourselves should be disqualified (1Cor. 9:26, 27); and the God who gives all grace will guard our heart and mind. With His help we will be that virgin made ready for her groom (Eph. 5:27).
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