Sunday, July 18, 2010

You pop the popcorn, and I'll start the movie, angels...

.... no, not really. Sadly though, many people are taught that that's exactly what Hebrews 4:13 is referring to: Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. This was the verse used for so many years by religious leaders to guilt me into behaving. "Just think.. you stand before God on that judgement day, and allllll your sins will be on display for all to see. How will you feel then??" Hogwash.
If anything, this entire chapter should be an encouragement for believers. Even the unbelievers--God isn't going to show a movie of our lives for all to see. However, it gives us encouragement, because, in spite of all our works being laid bare--good or bad--God loves us. God's word is living and active, according to Hebrews 4, and is sharper than any double edged sword. It can divide the soul from the spirit, the bone from the marrow. It can judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. No sense in trying to hide things from God. No sense in trying to 'not bother God with the little things". God already sees them. His word has lain them open--not for all to see, as I was taught, but that He sees. A few verses on, it says that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Does that sound like a movie night to you? Doesn't to me. Sounds like God is perfectly willing to have us come to Him for our needs. Also, we have a high priest, Jesus Christ Himself, that can sympathize with us. Have you ever had someone say, "I know how you feel", when you know full good and well, they've never gone through the trials and temptations you have? Well, Jesus isn't that person. He knows what it's like. He's not out to 'get you', He's out to love you. He's out to be our savior. God, too, isn't out to get us. Since Jesus died for our sin, the only thing left is, "What did you do with Jesus?" There are no black marks behind your name on some great chalkboard in the sky; there is no "vampire salvation" (no offense to the Twilight fans!) but only life eternal.  So take heart--although our lives, our thoughts and attitudes are indeed laid out before God, it's not to smack us... but rather... to teach us how to walk in His love. Remember, the only thing that counts is faith, expressing itself in love.

No comments:

Post a Comment