Eza 5:8 Be it known to the king that we went to the province of Judah, to the house of the great God. It is being built with huge stones, and timber is laid in the walls. This work goes on diligently and prospers in their hands. (ESV)
The diligence of the people of God in building the temple of God is not the result of people diligently committing to obedience. We too often start there. We call for commitment, diligence and submission not understanding that those things are the result not the cause of God's great work.
Note that in this chapter the diligence of God's people resulted from them hearing clearly from God. The prophets Haggai and Zechariah began to prophecy resulting in the work being started up again and diligently pursued. We can preach commitment all day long, but if God's people are not first hearing clearly from God the diligence will be short lived.
Note, secondly, that the "eye of God" was upon them. That is, God was sovereignly guiding and protecting them. Diligent commitment does not result in God's blessing. God's blessing leads to diligent commitment. Humble dependence always leads to obedience, but human commitment alone usually leads to pride.
We too often teach and understand this backwards. We teach commitment hoping that it will lead to hearing from God and enjoying his blessing. But that is not the gospel. Never has the gospel been about commitment. It has always been about a sovereign and loving God reaching out to take the first step in restoring people to relationship with himself.
The Gospel is that God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son so that whoever believes will have eternal life. Some have even gone so far as to redefine "believe" to equal "make a commitment." But that is hardly the idea here. Diligent commitment to God and his work flows naturally from hearing clearly from God and humbly depending on him. Not the other way round.
The Christian life is lived the same way it began, i.e. by grace through faith, not by deep commitment that hopefully leads to grace and faith. Father forgive me for how quickly I turn from your truth to my human effort. Today may I hear clearly from you. May I walking in humble dependence on you. May my life be therefore glorifying to you.
By His grace,
Rick Weinert
Comments
Post a Comment