So, I am standing in church today and I sense an awkwardness as I lift my hands and worship. Have you ever been there... the people around you being so uncomfortable with your hands in the air (as if in some way it is an affront to them personally)... I don't mean to be insensitive, but all I could hear in my mind were Christ's words in Luke 9:26, "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." Over and over this verse played in my mind until I had to look it up to see EXACTLY what it said.
I want to be compassionate. I want to meet people where they are at, but if that means to restrain the love I have in my heart for Jesus so as not to offend them, then I think I am off track. Paul did say that we don't need to offend people because the cross itself is the offense... but isn't authentic worship what draws people in? Don't people want to see authenticity? Or if they don't - isn't that what they need anyway? I just stood - hands lifted, voice raised and mind in prayer... Oh Jesus if they don't know you, let them drop religion for a relationship, vibrant and holy. And oh, Father, if they do know you will you put this verse in their minds? Will you teach them with your Holy Spirit that it is not okay to be ashamed of you and your message, and your people. Maybe it is pride. I want the Lord to examine my heart in this. But, I can't help but think that it is time I became radical again... that I fall back in love with my first Love. Oh my heart is excited at the thought. It is as if the myrhh is dripping off the door knob again for the first time in a long time and my heart is awakened though I still feel asleep. (Song of Solomon...)
Then I begin reading a book that was at church today, it is called The Road to Reality by K.P. Yohannan. This is in the Preface of the book... "We've been taught to serve up a watered-down gospel for so long that the real Gospel has become an embarrasment. However, half a truth is no truth at all. Obedience must always be a vital part of our response to His love and grace."
There it was again... embarrassed... over the gospel, the good news... I don't understand. A HALF TRUTH IS NO TRUTH AT ALL! That's exactly it. I want to worship in Spirit and Truth. Did Jesus not sacrifice enough for me to raise my hands up to Him in adoration? Did He not love me enough to put Himself in uncomfortable positions? I don't know. I just think I've had it. I think I must be true to the One who has been so True to me. Sorry if that makes you a bit uncomfortable. It is time that we pray for those who say they love Him and yet, they are so worried about how THEY feel in worship that they don't stop to wonder how He feels at their embarrassment of Him. It is time to be serious about what we are serious about, and stop playing the "I really am in love with Jesus game." If you are in love no one has to guess with who.
Just because I want to make sure that I am balanced with the Word, I am going to look it up right now. What exactly does Paul say about offending folks... hang in there with me while I look this up....
Well, this is what I've found so far, but I am not through yet. I know this wasn't written by Paul, so I am still looking, but I am truly intrigued now. Matthew 15:11-13 says this, "What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.' Then the disciples came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?" He replied, "Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots." I think that speaks pretty clearly. It is good that he makes the distinction that it is the Pharisees that are upset by this. He lets them know quickly that their offense makes it clear that they are not planted by the Father - therefore, they will be pulled up by their roots". Now for the verse I was looking for originally...
1 Corinthians 10:28-32 is the context for which I am saying that Paul pleads with us not to make men stumble. He says, "28But if anyone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake - the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience? If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for? So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." So there it is... don't cause anyone to stumble, saved or not... Now for true context. That doesn't mean don't offend people. It says, whatever you do, do it for the glory of God. If my motive was to offend people, because I am just that much more spiritual than they, then I am dead wrong... it is my glory at stake and it is my pride that leads me there. But, today, in my heart, as best I know, I wanted the Lord to be glorified, and I wanted people to come to know Him. I wanted people to quit worrying about my hands lifted up towards Heaven, and worry about themselves, and their salvation. I wanted to tell the Lord that I adore Him... more than I adore anyone here in this world.
