IT SHOWS!

IT SHOWS!

1 Thess 1:8

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

Matt 24:12

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

          It is a poorly kept secret that we preachers have a God-given sense regarding your spiritual condition. We can sense whether your faith is growing or just growing cold. It makes us somewhat unpopular at casual gatherings where people would prefer to be themselves instead of who they want their preacher to think they are.

          As our relationship with God grows stronger and closer there are telltale signs that can’t be hidden. Moses, when he went up into the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, returned to the people with a face that glowed. It frightened them and he was forced to wear a veil to mask the glory.

Ex 34:29-30

29 And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him.

30 And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him.

          Peter and John represented and reflected Jesus as they ministered in the book of Acts. Some things could not be hidden! They knew they had been with Jesus!

Acts 4:13

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

1 John 3:19-21

19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

          The Psalmist did not trust his own heart but asked God to investigate and reveal any wickedness He found.

Ps 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Dear Lord, let my faith be of the kind that would not cause me shame if it were revealed openly. AMEN