Approaching The Holy One

2007 April 29, 2006

Approaching the Holy One

Kathleen Maples

Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Mat 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Alms is good deeds, compassionateness, exercised toward the poor, a benefaction. For example, when you see people in the world donate a check to charity or something, you will see their picture splashed all over the pages of the newspaper, along with a note about who they are and how much the check is for, under the picture of them with a proud smile, handing the check to someone else. They enjoy the recognition, other people patting them on the back, they are seeking the praise of men. Churches do the same thing, at times, and it bothers me. You see a Habitat for Humanity development project under way, and right in front of a partially finished home, you'll see a huge sign, "This house sponsored by "such and such church." It's the same thing. We are not to do this, not to seek recognition of any kind. It's nothing like Christ to be this way. Those who behave like this, having received recognition from men, get nothing from the Father. When you see signs proclaiming what man has done, even though it might be good, such as building houses for the poor or donating food to the hungry, that is how the world does things. Good deeds will not gain you entrance into heaven. In the world, they recognize and applaud each other, and pat each other on the back for their "good deeds" and glory in one another. Their number one priority is glorying in flesh, praise and recognition. They are proud. They are perhaps bothered by their conscience and do things like this to soothe it or hush it up.

Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. What is a hypocrite? Strong's Greek Definitions says it's an actor, assuming a character, stage player or dissembler. A dissembler is according to Webster's dictionary, to hide under a false appearance, to conceal under some pretense. Pretending to be something you aren't. I've heard it said by people they didn't want to go to church because that is where all the hypocrites are. I disagree. Sure, there are hypocrites in church, but there are just as many, if not MORE in the world. They are every where. They will criticize the crimes and sins of others, but cover up their own.

Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee

openly. According to this, God looks on those who are praying to him in secret, privately, inwardly, where no one can tell. It's concealed from the eyes of men. God sees those who get alone to spend time with him and talk to him, and seek him. He hears. Why is it more pleasing to God for his children to pray in secret than publicly? I believe it's because those who do pray loudly and publicly before men, often do not ever pray in secret, and are glorying in the 'appearance' of being religious, and not focusing on the One to whom they are supposedly addressing. Their heart is far from him, though their lips give glory to his name. On the other hand, those who get alone with him privately, without advertising it, do it because they hunger for HIM, they love spending time with him. The other day, I was outside with my children, and my son was mowing the back yard, and my daughter was standing at the fence watching him, wishing he'd hurry so she could go play in her toddler sized dollhouse, and our Rottweiler, Cujo, (I used to be a Stephen King fan before I met Jesus) but anyway, Cujo saw the gate was open, and saw me leaning against my car, in the driveway, and I could tell he wanted to come to me, but knew he was supposed to stay in the back yard, and I patted my leg and smiled at him, and he hesitantly approached me, and I watched this huge dog who looks so mean, bow his head as he approached me, gently, with so much humility, just wanting me to rub his head. He came and sat down beside me and as I began to stroke his head, it got me thinking about how we approach God-or how we should and how we talk to God, in prayer.

Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. The word "Pharisee" means "separated" and it is supposed to refer to someone who is set apart for the purpose of God; just as Christian is supposed to mean someone who Christ is IN. I've heard it said it means "Christ-like" and that might be part of it, but to my heart, I believe it's supposed to mean "Christ is IN here. This is His place." That makes it set apart from the world, because it is HIS. The world hates him, and doesn't want him, is blind to his glory and beauty, and their own need for him. A Christian is to be a sanctuary for the Spirit of the Lord to indwell, and walk, and rule and reach out to those in need around that Christian. It's not about us, it's about HIS life in us, ruling, and flowing, and ministering to others. He didn't come to serve himself, he came to seek and save the lost, to serve others. This Pharisee is openly glorying in himself and what HE has done. What does the scripture instruct us on this? How does God look at these things?

Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

The Lord goes on to say in Mat 15:9 their worship is in vain.

Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. Now imagine how this man felt, hearing the loud, and proud prayer of the Pharisee, who in prayer condemned and accused this man, thanking God he was not like other men, even this publican. I’m sure his head was bowed low and he felt very unworthy. There was most likely a heaviness, a depression in his heart. Publicans were chosen by the Romans, probably for their education with numbers and math, to take tribute of the Jews, whom they were ruling. These were a captive people, with certain liberties...like their religion. But they had to pay tribute, or taxes to the Roman government. And of course, they chose certain Jewish men to take up or collect those taxes. These men probably did not want to accept the position, unless they were greedy, because it made them an outcast among their own people. Perhaps the Romans gave them no choice. Many overcharged on the taxes, looking to make a profit, which made the people hate them even more. Many were abusive, and arrogant with their new found power. But this publican, bearing the reproach because of the actions of his peers, had a heart for God. He knew he was in need of God. He surely was not happy with who he was, and cried out for mercy to God. He admitted he was a sinner. And what did Jesus say? He went down to his house justified rather than the religious man. When we approach God, we must do it with sincerity, humility and be very honest. We must reverence him and honor him for He is WORTHY. HE DESERVES IT. But let me ask you this: HOW do you approach a God so powerful he dwells in light you can't possibly approach to?