I wrote in my last post about cathedralling or showcasing the truth. We also need to ask ourselves the question: why do most people visit cathedrals these days? I myself have visited many cathedrals in many countries, mainly to admire the architecture and also to see if any still have any real sense of the presence of God. I usually came away admiring the architecture only.
We endanger the truth by embellishing it with oratory and beautiful religious surroundings. Doctoral divinity degrees coupled with man made ordinations can often likewise endanger the truth. People get taken up with the showcase rather than the Word of God.
Isaiah 66:1, 2: "Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest? For all those things hath mine handmade, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."
God still asks us fathers of today the same question He asked Israel of old: "Where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" Religious aesthetics may appeal to the spiritually carnal mind of men, but God looks for contrite and humble men who tremble at His Word, men who fear to offend Him. The showcase and the cathedral appeal to the religiously carnal nature of men, but God is not at all impressed with these things.
God is not looking for clever minds and intellects to showcase His truth. He is not looking for fancy upbeat styles, nor even the old fashioned ways. He is simply looking for men and women, fathers and mothers who are repentant (contrite) and humble and who fear His word enough to LIVE IT OUT THROUGH THEIR LIVES.
Can we admire the Word and yet not live it? Yes, we can. Can we shout the Word, quote the Word, pray the Word, and do all manner of religious activities with God's Word, but still not live it? Yes.
God is looking for people (living stones) who will live the Word. As fathers we must make certain that God's Word is alive in us and then we will be able to pass the baton on to the next generation.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell