Christian, here’s a little thought experiment: God pulls an angel aside and begins to describe you to the angel. What do you think He would say about you? How would the LORD evaluate and speak of your service to Him? Be honest.
For some insight into
these questions, listen to God’s evaluation of King David. And bear in mind
that God’s description of David is after
his adultery with Bathsheba, after
his murder of Uriah, after the taking
of multiple wives, after his
faithless fathering and after his
numbering of Israel. These words were spoken by God to King Solomon directly following
the completion of the Temple:
(1 Kings 9:4) And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity
of heart and uprightness, doing according to all that I have commanded you,
and keeping my statutes and my rules,
The LORD described David,
whose sins were many and heinous, as a man who conducted himself with “integrity
of heart and uprightness”, in other words with pure motives and righteous
deeds. Hmm…
Given David’s track
record, the only explanation for God’s evaluation of this imperfect shepherd-king
is what God has promised to do with all His people’s sins for Jesus’ sake,
which is “to remember them no more” (Hebrews 8:12). And not only that, but to
reckon to our accounts the very righteousness of Christ (Philippians 3:9).
So, thusly informed, let’s
return to our thought experiment. How would God speak of you, Christian? Well,
please forgive my irreverence, but something like: “Angel, let me tell you
about my servant (insert your name here) who walks before me day after day with
integrity of heart and uprightness. Oh, how I love that child of mine…”
Too glad to be true, and yet true
nonetheless. Washed in Christ’s blood, you are forgiven. And dressed in his
righteousness, you are faithfully obedient in
Christ. All praise be to God!
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