2 Chronicles 7: 14

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

When thinking of this verse in connection with the title of this email it made me look as certain areas in which I think are critical for Christians to understand. I am sure we have all heard this verse many times and may have heard many lessons and sermons in reference to it. I am also sure that we have not looked closely enough to this particular verse in relation to our relationship with the God whom we say we serve and belong to. We note first that God is speaking to His people, yes, us as Christians. Those of us that have been Born-Again have taken on Christ therefore;

2 Corinthians 5: 20

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.

We are representatives of Christ and therefore we exhibit that to the world in our speech and deeds. I am truly convinced that we do not take this as serious as we should. I am not advocating for Christians to walk around in a "holier than thou" attitude, but there is a command from Jesus for us to "Be ye holy, even as your Father in heaven is holy." If we truly recognized our position and the magnitude of the fact that we are "ambassadors" of Christ our actions should emanate the character of Christ. What is done in love, Christ's love that is in us, can never be in danger of being categorized as "Pride." Which brings me to the second point, being that we are directed to "Humble ourselves." To humble ourselves would indicate that there is 'pride' and it needs to be brought down. How might we display pride in our lives? I'm glad you asked, look at this scripture;

Malachi 1: 6-8

6 "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?" says the LORD Almighty. "It is you, O priests, who show contempt for my name. "But you ask, `How have we shown contempt for your name?'

7 "You place defiled food on my altar. "But you ask, `How have we defiled you?' "By saying that the LORD's table is contemptible.

8 When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.

I would propose that we replace the "priests" with our own name and see if we fit into any of the categories that God is addressing. We have to remember after all that we are "priests and kings" if we are Born-Again. In vs. 6 God is concerned with the 'respect' that is being given, and if He is our Father then what kind of respect are we attributing to Him? Is it respect when we do things outside the 'church' that we would not do inside? Let me give you an example; several years ago I was driving home after church and passed by another church and noticed that several people were on the steps in front of the church. Some of these people were smoking while talking to those with them. I'm not on an anti-smoking, or smoking is a 'sin' campaign, I am just trying to make a point. It made me think of why these people would light up on the steps of the church but not inside. Is there more respect for the building, not realizing that He lives inside us and not a building? How many of us know people that are different people altogether when they enter a church building as opposed to how they are at work, home, or anywhere else? How many of us are those people? My point is that we see many times that Christians revere a building yet do not honor or respect God everywhere else in their life. In vs. 7&8 God is dealing with the sacrifices that are being offered to Him and how He views them in comparison to what we think. It was known to the priests of that day the importance of bringing a right sacrifice and the purity of it. We also know as Born-Again believers that we have certain requirements for our petitions also. We do bring some "lame, blind, and defiled" sacrifices to our Father many times. How we ask, just as the priests asked? Our attitude, intentions, and condition of our hearts are the indicators that God looks at with us. What are we giving God? The last few minutes of our day before we go to sleep? Do we think that God is pleased with us when the only prayers we offer to Him are over our meals each day? Are the excuses we offer for not reading the Word and praying daily acceptable? These are the ways we disrespect and dishonor our Father. What do we fill our time with, TV, activities, computers, gossip, etc...? I have been so disgusted with some of the prime-time shows that are airing. I don't have to watch the shows to know what they are about, just the previews are enough. The television has become the devil's playground and unfortunately many Christians are playing on it that shouldn't be. Would Jesus be comfortable watching some of the programs that we entertain? Well, I am sorry to say but if you are Born-Again, He is there with you. This brings about the last part of the verse; How can Christians have 'wicked ways?' We automatically assume that wickedness would include evil tendencies or some perverted and distorted characterization of a person. In reality God views wickedness as with sin, in an overall manner, in which His Holy standards are deviated from. Wicked ways among God's people is when they abuse the great 'grace' that has been afforded to us and take the price that was paid for our redemption as a light thing. I have found the best way to determine whether or not something is wrong or right is by a simple rule. If there needs to be any justification at all then it is wrong. May we strive to be as Godly as possible and especially the more as we see the day approaching as it is. My daily prayer is simply this; Father, help me to be a faithful, obedient, and willing servant to you. Help me to be the most effective witness I can be. Give me wisdom to make the right decisions and say the right things. Help me to take advantage of every opportunity to share your Gospel with those that need it, but most of all let me live it before them first. Fill me with your Spirit and show me your ways each day and help me to never be guilty of grieving your Spirit. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Sincerely in Christ, Adam

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