Failure In Condition And Response

by John McCormick, Barrow-in-Furness | Category: Worship | Aug 1964

It was not only an important, but also a necessary word which Paul the apostle wrote to the Corinthian Church, "Let a, man prove himself" (1 Corinthians 11.28). The words were used in connexion with the gathering together of the people of God for what was, and still is, the great focal point of the purposes of God in them, namely, the remembrance of the Lord Jesus Christ, with the associated offering of spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving, coupled with the worship of a together people.

The solemnity of the occasion in which, as a holy priesthood, the people of God enter in the Spirit into the holy place (Hebrews 10.19) cannot be overstressed. It calls for a condition of soul compatible with one's surroundings. So the apostle wrote, "Let a man examine himself". It is good to keep before the mind the high standard of God's requirements in those who approach Him. In both Old and New Testaments we have instructions as to the condition of the worshipper, for "Holiness becometh Thine house, 0 LORD, for evermore" (Psalm 93.5). Because of the holiness of Him who in His grace has deigned to permit men to approach unto Him, and to receive their homage, it is incumbent on their part to cultivate a life of holiness and reverence. This is evident from the meticulous care God took to instruct His people of the past to cleanse themselves from all defilement. In particular we note the use of the laver.

"And Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet thereat: when they go into the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, that they die not" (Exodus 30. 19, 20).

In all the holy service of His people the principle is clear, "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me" (Leviticus 10.3). Thus a condition of soul was needful which is shown by the following quotations:

"Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD?

And who shall stand in His holy place?

He that bath clean hands, and a pure heart;

Who bath not lifted up his soul unto vanity,

And bath not sworn deceitfully" (Psalm 24.3, 4).

Be ye clean, ye that bear the vessels of the LORD"

(Isaiah 52. 11).

In the New Testament, the same principles are seen.

"But like as He which called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1.15-16).

While in relation to the offering up of spiritual sacrifices we read,

"Putting away therefore all wickedness, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings" (1 Peter 2. 1)

In all generations God has required a high standard of behaviour in them that draw nigh to Him in worship. At the same time there may be conduct which is outwardly correct, but does not come from a heart that is true to Him. True worship flows from a true heart. It is here in particular that the words first quoted should have an application. We need, each one, to prove himself. In the worship of God's people (we refer to collective worship), it is important that there be no failure. The success of our service toward men depends much on our giving to God in a pure conscience, the homage of our hearts.

It was in this matter of heart condition that Israel failed in Isaiah's day. It was so also in the time of the Lord Jesus, who culled from Isaiah's prophecy words which He applied to the Pharisees,

"Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

This people honoureth Me with their lips,

But their heart is far from Me.

But in vain do they worship me,

Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men"

(Mark 7.6, 7).

They honoured Him with their lips, but lip and heart were not in tune. Far, far better had they drawn near to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools (Ecclesiastes 5. 1). Their worship and their words were not acceptable to God. How easy it is to speak of the Lord words which will meet with the approval of our brethren, and receive from them a ready, responsive "Amen". But have they been uttered from the heart, or are they merely a form of words we have often used? God, who reads the heart, knows. Sad would it be if the words were true of His people today, "In vain do they worship Me"!

It may be, however, that in the Lord's quotation there is another thought. It has been noted that it speaks firstly of a condition of heart, and then teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men. We are caused to think of multitudes of God's children on earth who are scattered abroad today, those for whom Christ died. Not only did He die to save them from the penal consequences of sin, but that "He might also gather together into one (thing) the children of God that are scattered abroad" (John 11.52). In this "one thing", which is also called the "little flock" (Luke 12.32), and "a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices" (1 Peter 2.5), God expects worship from an adoring people. Sad to say, many are still scattered, following doctrines which are the precepts of men. Thus God is robbed of His due, even from His blood-bought children.

So we think of failure in worship in two ways, (1) as a result of wrong condition of heart, which may lead to wrong practices and many hurtful lusts; (2) to a following of those things which are not according to the truth of God, resulting in a failure in collective worship.

But it may be possible for response to be lacking even among those who are found in the "one thing". This could be the result of (1) failure to accept responsibility for public worship; (2) coldness of heart toward God and Christ, and (3) lack of appreciation of the Person and work of Christ.

The highest of all services granted by God to men is the service of the Holies. It was so in the past. It is so today. It may be, because of its lofty character, and the need of great humility in approach to God, many shrink from publicly bringing their offerings to Him. It should be borne in mind that in this service we are speaking to God, who desires to listen to our expressions of adoration for the gift of His Son. This can be done in the best way of expression we have, but always remembering that five words of thanksgiving from the heart are more precious to God than a thousand words from the head. And we should appreciate that He has laid upon us the responsibility of worship.

It is possible, too, that our hearts may be cold, like the Ephesian saints who had left their first love (Revelation 2.4), or like the Laodiceans who were lukewarm (Revelation 3. 16). In the first case, the outward service of these saints was commended, they had worked and had had patience. They could not bear evil men and so forth. But the main-spring was out of order to such an extent that they were in grave danger of losing every privilege that God had given them (Revelation 2.5). In the other case there was self-sufficiency. Their hearts, too, were out of order, and because of this they could not be responsive to the service of God in the Holies. Lukewarm hearts can never engage with acceptance in sacred things. It is possible that as the risen Lord searched them, the words of Isaiah were true even here, "Their heart is far from Me." "In vain do they worship Me."

Perhaps one of the greatest causes of failure to respond in worship is our lack of appreciation of the Person and work of Christ. And, perchance, our inability to set a true value on what He has done for us. We can never over-value what He did for God. The value and fragrance of His holy spotless life in wonderful devotion to the Father which arose to the throne as a sweet savour, God, and God only, could appreciate. He alone could assess its worth. Then on the Cross, fulfilling the will of God to the utmost, "He gave Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odour of a sweet smell" (Ephesians 5.2). We sometimes sing,

For us He died upon the tree,

For us was shed His blood,

But more than that since unto Thee

He gave Himself, 0 God.

Christ, spotless, offered Thee Himself,

Oh, what a gift divine!

Its fragrant worth no tongue can tell,

What joy, 0 God, was Thine.

We think of His bodily sufferings, and above all, what He suffered at the hand of God for us, not only that we might be redeemed from going down into the pit, but also that we might be a holy priesthood, to tread in the Spirit the courts of the heavenly sanctuary, engaged in divine service. Can we remain unresponsive, and be dumb before the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? We should be found in the condition of the Psalmist,

"My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter:

I speak the things which I have made touching the King"

(Psalm 45. 1).

"My heart was hot within me; while I was musing the fire kindled:

Then spake I with my tongue"(Psalm 39.3).

What a disappointment it must have been to the Lord that day when, having cleansed ten lepers, only one returned to give Him thanks. We can almost detect His sorrow in the words,

"Were not the ten cleansed? but where are the nine? Were there none found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger?" (Luke 17.17, 18).

Let us not be with the nine, who received His blessing and went their way, their hearts never responding to Him who had bestowed it. How it must have gladdened Him to see the cleansed Samaritan, bowed in worship, giving thanks! So may the people of God when assembled together be in the spirit of the words,

"Let us have grace (thankfulness, R.V.M.), whereby we may offer service well pleasing to God with reverence and awe."

But there is another way in which we may fail to respond. That is, in absenting ourselves needlessly from the divinely arranged gathering for worship. That it is the desire of God that we should be thus gathered is indicated in the following scriptures,

"This do in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22.19).

"Upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread" (Acts 20.7).

"In the name of our Lord Jesus, ye being gathered together"

(1 Corinthians 5.4).

"When ye come together in the church" (that is, as the church of God) (1 Corinthians 11. 18).

"When therefore ye assemble yourselves together"

(1 Corinthains 11.20).

"If therefore the whole church be assembled together"

(1 Corinthians 14.23).

And this gathering is for the purpose "That with one accord ye may with one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15. 6). The importance of this gathering cannot be over-estimated. It is the one time in the week when this service can be fulfilled. Dare we fail to respond for such trivial excuses as weather, meals, etc.? Let us remember that the flesh will soon find an excuse to rob God of the glory due to Him. We should give earnest heed to the word of exhortation,

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh"

(Hebrews 10. 25).

The implication of the words that follow, "For if we sin wilfully" is very solemn, since they have a 'bearing on what has gone before regarding our entrance into the Holies. It is our responsibility to seek grace not to fail in our response to the divine injunction, but ever to be found in our place to honour Him.

John McCormick, Barrow-in-Furness | Aug 1964
Worship