What does it take to get an invitation to a White House social event? What is the protocol? How do I behave and dress if invited? These are questions most of us don't even need to remotely consider. But, there are similar imperative questions:
"O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? (Psalm 15:1)
What does it take to be invited to the very dwelling place of our Creator Father? What is the proper protocol and dress? In essence:
"He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the Lord; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15:2-5)
It has nothing to do with externals, like attire and social graces. It's all about inner qualities. Sincere love for God. True love for people. Integrity in speech. Wholesome conduct. In fact, it is allowing the very nature of God to be fleshed out in our lives. Those who spend time in the presence of God should increasingly resemble Him in character and conduct.
If we dare think we can reduce these key traits to a simple checklist, it won't work. Don't even go there. The religious leaders in Jesus' days on earth thought it was that simple and basic. They went through the motions, but their hearts were a far cry from where they should have been. Thus, they invoked Jesus' harsh indictment from the prophet Isaiah: "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.'" (Matthew 15:7-8) Going through the motions is no guarantee of good spiritual heart health.
What does it take to get an invitation to hang out with God? Well, we've been given one. And the protocol is clearly and succinctly outlined for us. It's a protocol of the heart, manifested in character. Whoever wants to hang out with God needs to love Him wholeheartedly, and let His character be reflected in theirs.
May our hearts yearn today for a meaningful connection with our Creator, and may our character be appealing to the One who loves us most.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
"O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? (Psalm 15:1)
What does it take to be invited to the very dwelling place of our Creator Father? What is the proper protocol and dress? In essence:
"He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend; In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the Lord; He swears to his own hurt and does not change; He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken. (Psalm 15:2-5)
It has nothing to do with externals, like attire and social graces. It's all about inner qualities. Sincere love for God. True love for people. Integrity in speech. Wholesome conduct. In fact, it is allowing the very nature of God to be fleshed out in our lives. Those who spend time in the presence of God should increasingly resemble Him in character and conduct.
If we dare think we can reduce these key traits to a simple checklist, it won't work. Don't even go there. The religious leaders in Jesus' days on earth thought it was that simple and basic. They went through the motions, but their hearts were a far cry from where they should have been. Thus, they invoked Jesus' harsh indictment from the prophet Isaiah: "You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.'" (Matthew 15:7-8) Going through the motions is no guarantee of good spiritual heart health.
What does it take to get an invitation to hang out with God? Well, we've been given one. And the protocol is clearly and succinctly outlined for us. It's a protocol of the heart, manifested in character. Whoever wants to hang out with God needs to love Him wholeheartedly, and let His character be reflected in theirs.
May our hearts yearn today for a meaningful connection with our Creator, and may our character be appealing to the One who loves us most.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2012
posted by steve @ 9:08 AM
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