Are you the Accused?

When you are attending church, have you ever thought about it like being in a court room? During a trial in a court room there will be present a judge, a defendant, attorneys, interested spectators, maybe some students of the law, and often others that are just sitting and waiting for the next trial to start. In church we have the pastor who is a stand in for the ultimate judge. We have students of God’s Word, spectators, and those who are sitting and waiting so they can move on to doing something else. The difference between courtrooms and churches is that all of us including the pastor are the defendants, and we all are the accused. Our attorney is the one we follow, Jesus Christ, and we are promised that He will defend us in front of God IF we know and confess Him as our Savior (Ro 10:9). All of us who are NOT asleep, spectators or ready to move on have His assurance and His promise of this salvation (Ep 1:13-14, Mt 25:31-46).

So why is it that there seems to be more respect in the court room during the proceedings there than when we are in the presence of God? We know that any judgements against us that are handed out in a court room will be enforced. Yet we ignore the fact that we will be judged by God when we walk out of church. So, we carry on with our life as if nothing has changed. Being in church or in a court room will not change anyone unless a person pays attention to what is being said and wants to change. For a Christian we must continually change, so that our life becomes a living prayer.

What does it mean if our life becomes a “Living Prayer”? Prayer is a means of Grace, and it is a way to personally know Christ or God (He 4:16). When we read the Bible, the stories tell us about God and Christ and about other people dealing with God and trying to live for God. The reading of the Bible is important to know how God wants us to change, but without God’s help we will not be able to change and be acceptable to God. Change always requires a will to change. If we have the will to change, we will change, but the change may not be acceptable to God. Thus, we need communication with God in Prayer and Silence. Why Silence? Because in silence is when God may answer us, if we are listening (Ps 62:1). With this continual learning, praying and listening we are changed. Our attitude toward ourselves and others will change. People will begin to seek you out for help, advice, friendship, and to do other good deeds. You will live out your prayers, and your life will become a Living Prayer to God. There are many examples of people both ancient and current that we think of as saints who have successfully completed this process. As we become faithful witnesses to others, God then frees us from our sins, and our lives then are a “living prayer” (Ro 12:2).

When we are tried in a court room, we will be held responsible only for what we have done. When at last we are judged in the court of God, we will be held responsible not only for what we have done but also for what we have left undone. So how do our lives become living prayers? For that to happen God must be involved, so we must remember Him all day (1Th 5:16–18). When we arise, when we are working, when we are relaxing and when we go to bed, we can find ways to call on God and in silence listen to Him. Prayer and praise are necessary, but silence is when God answers. Silence is where most of us fail, because our impulse to immediately move on always seems to take precedence. Then we act quickly without allowing God time to give us an answer. That only leads to more disappointments and frustration. If you are working, like cutting the grass, making dinner, etc., that is a great time to pray to God about an issue you may have on your mind, and after you pray be silent and think of nothing. You may find that hard, but if you can you will find your thoughts about the issue being brought to mind and a way forward becoming clear. God, however, will answer in His time, not yours (La 3:25-26, Ps 27:14, Ga 6:9).

The Disciple Group suggests that you look at taking time to put silence into your prayer routine. We also suggest that you adopt prayer and silence before God throughout your entire day, every day and not only on Sunday. The Disciple Group is one way to help you in creating a stronger relationship with our Savior. Contact your Pastor if you are interested in joining us.