~ ~ Do Not Disturb ~ ~

“Do Not Disturb”

“and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.“-
Rev. 3:17b

Satan is relentless to keep disciples from speaking, and our flesh is satisfied to cling to mute symbols of grace.

Churches ought to be gatherings where speaking the truth in love grows us into Jesus, thru the working together of each individual member of the body (Eph. 4:16). Yet most churches provide few occasions for true body life to occur. The dialogue of the early church (Acts 20:7) has nearly vanished today. Not speaking can become habitat for concealing unbelief, malice, etc., whereas speaking expresses our hearts (Luke 6:45).

Of all the words we speak, those we speak to the Lord are most revealing. The parable of the Pharisee and the publican (Luke 18:9-14) is disturbing, for it portrays only two ways we speak to the Lord concerning ourselves. Jesus said the Pharisee prayed with himself. His self-centered words reflected his illusions of righteousness, and the reality of his condescension. He returned home as he arrived - unaware of his need for forgiveness.

In contrast with the Pharisee, Jesus said the publican went home justified. He had prayed, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner.” His admission of failure and plea for mercy resulted in God declaring him right with Himself. Where are such prayers today? Some churches have reduced prayers, and many fail to admit our failures. Jesus described God’s chosen as crying unto God day and night (Luke 18:7).
Do I?

“My house shall be a house of prayer

of all nations" Isaiah 56:7c

Do these words describe our gatherings? Could our assemblies express more open-heartedness to the Lord? Paul wrote, “But you come together, not for the better, but for the worse.” 1 Cor. 11:17 His words suggest that their assemblies should have left them better. They could have provoked each other to love in humble dialogue, and asked God for each other (1 John 5:16).

Through speaking we share our selves and create openings to give and receive wisdom and love. This may leave us vulnerable, but malicious words will be known, and hearts can be corrected. Since none of us have been mistaken for Jesus, we all have need for perfecting. We might discover that praying together brings us Jesus’ disturbing power - and leaves us changed, beyond what we have known. -

Wayne McDaniel

July 2010