Baptism

Response to the Gospel

Posted on by Bob Mathews

There you are, near the end of the worship service, when the congregation stands to sing the invitation song. Someone walks down the aisle to respond to the Gospel. What’s your response?

When you see the work of God, how should a Christian react?

I know we all respond differently, and no doubt we may even respond differently in this situation compared to how we responded the last time. On at least two occasions, I’ve been so affected that I couldn’t sing. I mean my voice just didn’t work! What was it that caused me to respond so emotionally when I wasn’t even the one walking down the aisle?

In both cases that I recall, it was a combination of factors. One, I knew the person well enough to know why she was responding. Two, I could see the power of God working in the lives of both of these individuals so undeniably that I could respond no other way.

In a way, I hesitated to write this post because I know a lot of people have difficulty seeing any response of ours to God as being anything but emotional. I don’t mean to imply that if you don’t feel something inside when you see God working, that there’s something wrong with you. But think about it. When you see the work of God, how should a Christian react? Should we act with an attitude of complacency, and that it’s “just God’s job” to work wonders through people? Or should we react in an attitude of praise, being thankful that God still moves the hearts of sinners? (Those are rhetorical questions, by the way.)

We know the word of God is living and active, and is sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). We also know God’s word will not return to Him without effect (Isaiah 55:11).

Are you able to see Him working in others? Just as importantly, can others see Him working in you? (Matthew 5:16)

Humility is seeing ourselves as God sees us

Posted on by Bob Mathews

I saw that quote on a church sign recently. You know the ones — these are the signs that have quippy sayings that are intended to make you think, and sometimes make you groan, kind of like ours. Like most quotes, some are better than others. This one got my attention though, because I wasn’t sure if I agreed with it or not.

How do you think God sees you?

…all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

Let me ask you this — if I had a huge, ugly brown spot on my back, would you ever know about this blemish if every time you saw me I was wearing a shirt? Scripture tells me at the time I was baptized, I was clothed with Christ.

26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-27

Therefore, since I am clothed with Christ, whenever God looks at me He sees Jesus. He doesn’t see the blemishes that abound — the blemishes Jesus’ blood washed clean (1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 1:7). He sees me as pure and spotless as the day I was born.

And this brings up another question — if God sees us as being clothed with Christ, and doesn’t see our blemishes, shouldn’t we see His children in the same state? How easy it is to focus on each others’ dirty laundry and blemishes, when we should see our fellow life-strugglers as washed clean with the same blood as we have been.

So, back to the original quote and the question it provoked — is humility seeing ourselves as God sees us? I think not. “Humility is seeing ourselves as we would be without Jesus.” How’s that for a re-write?

I do!

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Those two words are the words that end the taking of an oath in court, but more importantly, at the end of the oath that you take at your wedding. You were probably asked, “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Do you take                 to be your lawful wedded husband; do you take                 to be your lawful wedded wife?”

When you became a Christian you were asked if you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and you said, “I Do.”

In the wedding, it was for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death parts you. And to this you said, “I Do!” You did not have to (unless there was a shotgun behind you), but you did because you wanted to. Hopefully, because you loved that woman or man.

There is another oath you have taken if you are a Christian. When you became a Christian you were asked if you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and you said, “I Do.” When you were baptized you were saying, “I DO want Jesus to be my Lord and Master, my Savior and King,” and that was not just on Sunday, but it was everyday in every way, because you wanted to be joined to Christ. Even though you became a member of His church, you did not do it to become a member of the church; hopefully, you did it because you fell in love with the man called Jesus and you wanted to be joined to Him and follow Him in good times, as well as bad times, and that is the oath you took.

How are you doing on your wedding oaths—both to your physical wedding partner and to your spiritual groom?