Christians, many times we believe when we stand before God on the day of Judgement, that we will be judged according to what we did in public. The things other people saw and what the world recognizes as good. This could not be further from the truth. In all actuality, we will be judged by our private lives, the things we do behind closed doors, when no one is looking. I do not mean just hidden sin, for Christians, the grace of God covers over our sins, I mean the moments we pray and fast, the moments we sing, praise and glorify God when no one is around. The different tasks we do, and the condition of our heart when we do those tasks, no matter the circumstances.
Why is this so important? Anyone can get dressed up, look good on Sunday, say the “right things” the “Amens”, be on their best behaviour for a couple of hours. A true relationship with God is based on a private intimate level, in a hidden place. It does not mean that we do not get credit for the public things we do, but it means that we can only do the public things, in the right manner and for the right mindset, only if our private life is on track.
So many times while God has had me waiting, I believed I was waiting for an opportunity to show my love. I desired a platform to perform with my heart what I thought God is wanting. But as I searched out God, as I began to understand His heart, I now know that I can express my love everyday, no platform needed. God is actually looking at my simple, daily, submission as the measuring line to my rewards in eternity. He looks at where our heart is in the mundane.
If we can truly get a hold of this, if we can start to operate out of love at a deep, heart, hidden level, there truly would be nothing in the world that could stop us. We look at Jesus and we strive to be like Him, we recognize the sacrifice on the cross and we wait for our opportunity to lay it all down. How many times did the scriptures say that He withdrew to a remote place, all alone, to pray?
That’s the relationship, that’s the point God wants to get us to, that we can ask, “if there be any other way, but Your will be done God.” Jesus went to the cross BECAUSE of His secret relationship with God. Ask ourselves, will we develop our relationship, so that we can pick up our cross? When we develop our private love life with God, He will lead us to the opportunity to publicly display our love for all to see. I pray that we find time, to slip away, to sneak a few moments alone with the Father, and to develop our relationship, character, and heart to be ready willing and able to serve Him now and forevermore, in Jesus name, Amen.
But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. Luke 5:16 (NIV)
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35 (NIV)
At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for Him and when they came to where He was, they tried to keep Him from leaving them. Luke 4:42 (NIV)
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6:5-6 (NKJV)
Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. Matthew 6:1 (NIV)
written and posted by Daniel Poggensee | 2016
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