Sunday, July 6

Sacred Trust

"So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." 1 Corinthians 4:1-4 NIV

"To whom much is given, much is expected" is a phrase I've heard lately, floating up in the back of my thoughts lately as I find myself increasingly uncomfortable at church. Uncomfortable because the topic seems to be directed to me, to pursue God's call and to fulfill what He's called me to do.

The secret things of God, a topic of contention within the body of today's church. God speaking? How do we know? What standard can we trust?

Pastor Dave said today that the Word of God isn't the only way the Spirit speaks to us in the world today. And he's right, but the standard is set within the Word for us to hold what we hear against what is known. God doesn't contradict Himself.

Things that are beyond human wisdom, defying human logic, and standing within the realm of what we do not know is what God is revealing to His people in these times. "No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." 2:7 We will share in the glory of Christ, those who believe and confess His Kingship over us.

And, as we speak, we must remember that it is not our words that we confess with our mouths, but God's. It is a sacred trust indeed.

Just my thoughts on this celebration of our nation's declaration of Independence......

Have we declared ourselves independent from the world, relying on God's plan, timing, and grace?

Or have we declared ourselves masters of our own fates, independent of a God that loves us?