There was an Indian stranger at our door the other night. Food was laid out on the tables and we were continuing to ready the satay. He was an older person with weathered hands, uncut hair and without shoes. His clothing were aged and discolored, not visibly dirty but neither pressed. He was probably a street-person though he claimed to be a guard. There exuded a faint trace of body odor around him. His English was commendable, his demeanor polite even, he dotted his “please” and crossed his “thank-you’s”. The apparent seniors around church were addressed as “Sir’s” and he had the good sense of staying clear of the ladies. He was clearly interested in the food on the table, and having been given some, came back to pack more for later. He sat on the fringes and did not presume to participate further in our proceedings. On the fringes, he attempted to gain acceptance by displaying appropriate decorum. There were even words of praise for the church and God Himself. He made the mistake of repeatedly asking for cigarettes, as if he sensed that perchance, some of us would be closet smokers.
He did not make us comfortable. We were surely not keen on sharing our cups with him though we were too embarrassed to refuse, so we let him. Obviously we were thankful that he did not presume more.
Looking into the mirror in my mind, I see a man standing outside the same house. The LORD was there amidst His mighty Ones. There was food and blessing laid out on His table, and many desired to partake of His goodness. Dressed in, at best, filthy rags, with wounds and sores all over his body, the man was unkempt, untidy to say the least, and not quite sanctified enough to be admitted into the presence of the LORD. There was still the scent of flesh around him. But this man knew the “right” language and was also seen giving praise and thanksgiving. He would call on the LORD and knew also the etiquette and protocols. Repeatedly, he seemed to make the mistake of asking for either the wrong things or for the wrong reasons. Fearful to enter into the presence of the LORD, he stayed on the fringes and tried to present himself as acceptable amongst the others. Remarkably, he did not, quite stand out amidst the others.
Is it not strange, that there is so much similarity between us and the Indian gentleman? Is there still much, that we would despise in him? Are we really comfortable about and recognize what separates us?
Except for the longsuffering mercy and grace of the LORD, and His provision of , a cloak, of the imputed righteousness of His Son, paid for dearly at Calvary, we will never be able, to approach His House less we perish, because of the zeal of His mighty Ones, who would put to shame the zeal of Phinehas, and the LORD Himself, a consuming fire.
But one wonders; can we put on this cloak of righteousness, as if with any other garment? Can we wear it as a Sunday suit only? Is there any real difference between us and the Indian gentleman? Do we not partake of His table of goodness and blessing? The stranger at our door was the wiser, in that he did not dare to presume.
God bless.
/ckh
He did not make us comfortable. We were surely not keen on sharing our cups with him though we were too embarrassed to refuse, so we let him. Obviously we were thankful that he did not presume more.
Looking into the mirror in my mind, I see a man standing outside the same house. The LORD was there amidst His mighty Ones. There was food and blessing laid out on His table, and many desired to partake of His goodness. Dressed in, at best, filthy rags, with wounds and sores all over his body, the man was unkempt, untidy to say the least, and not quite sanctified enough to be admitted into the presence of the LORD. There was still the scent of flesh around him. But this man knew the “right” language and was also seen giving praise and thanksgiving. He would call on the LORD and knew also the etiquette and protocols. Repeatedly, he seemed to make the mistake of asking for either the wrong things or for the wrong reasons. Fearful to enter into the presence of the LORD, he stayed on the fringes and tried to present himself as acceptable amongst the others. Remarkably, he did not, quite stand out amidst the others.
Is it not strange, that there is so much similarity between us and the Indian gentleman? Is there still much, that we would despise in him? Are we really comfortable about and recognize what separates us?
Except for the longsuffering mercy and grace of the LORD, and His provision of , a cloak, of the imputed righteousness of His Son, paid for dearly at Calvary, we will never be able, to approach His House less we perish, because of the zeal of His mighty Ones, who would put to shame the zeal of Phinehas, and the LORD Himself, a consuming fire.
But one wonders; can we put on this cloak of righteousness, as if with any other garment? Can we wear it as a Sunday suit only? Is there any real difference between us and the Indian gentleman? Do we not partake of His table of goodness and blessing? The stranger at our door was the wiser, in that he did not dare to presume.
God bless.
/ckh
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