""Quit your worship charades. I can't stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can't stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You've worn me out! I'm sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning.
When you put on your next prayer-performance, I'll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I'll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you've been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don't have to look at them any longer.
Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless. "Come. Sit down. Let's argue this out." This is God's Message: "If your sins are blood-red, they'll be snow-white. If they're red like crimson, they'll be like wool. If you'll willingly obey, you'll feast like kings. But if you're willful and stubborn, you'll die like dogs." That's right. God says so." Isaiah 1:13-20 MSG
As I heard these words from the book I was listening to, it caught my attention. I don't use the Message version too often, but sometimes that way it presents information is just so powerful I stand up and take notice. Maybe it was a hint of conviction as Holy Spirit began to reveal some of my tendencies.
Like how at times in my own life I have just went through the motions, otherwise known as charades. I do what I know to do, but I am not really seeking Him in the action. I have went to all the meetings and felt like I could check the box for attendance. It is easy for me to fall into that religious, work-based mentality. Even though I know, that is not what God needs from me.
I don't really relate to the tearing people apart or having bloody hands. I think there were times in the distant past that I could and would shred people with my Word, but believe that I have received the Lord's correction in my life in that area. I guard my mouth and heart when those thoughts want to come out. I believe that is not who God designed me to be. I can not praise God and tear people down with the same mouth.
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. James 3:9-10
I know there are still areas that God is working on me. He is helping me to clean up my act. Each day He is changing me, cleaning me up, making me more like Him. Even after all this time I am still learning to say "no" to things that are not beneficial to me.
I also know that in the past I could say I do good. I have worked for justice. I have helped the down-and-out. I stood up for the homeless. I have went to bat for the defenseless. I also know I am not doing all I could be doing for these causes. I have shrunk back from what I know God has made possible through me.
God reminds me, my sins are forgiven. I need to let go out of my past mistakes. They only have the power over me that I give them, because God has already washed them away. Obedience is what the Lord asks for.
"Tell me," Samuel said. "Does the Lord really want sacrifices and offerings? No! He doesn't want your sacrifices. He wants you to obey him. I Samuel 15:22
God has given each of us a choice. Do we go through the motions and just play charades in our relationship with Him? Or do we chose to press in to the process, obey Him and allow the transformation to occur from the inside out? We are all works in progress, but we can allow God's grace and forgiveness to propel us towards the plan and purpose He has.
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