This verse makes me think. Often times in my prayer I'll find myself saying things that I know to be true, or asking for things that I really want (or at least I think I do) And then I'll stop, and pray for God to help me really mean what I say, to be sincere. Even though I believe what I say as much as I know how, and still I feel as though I'm insincere. I praise God, but still I pray that I would be sincere (does this make you sincere?)
I think of great thinkers such as Aristotle (I think) C.S. Lewis, John Piper, and others who affirm the idea that everything that we do as humans is in pursuit of pleasure for ourselves, and for our happiness. Does this remain true for Christians? I think it does, at least most of the time. If so, does it interfere with true sincerity?
This verse says ""I will praise You...... when I learn your judgments" As if to say that we can't really be sincere until we "learn His righteous judgments" This must mean more than just "being saved" or having head knowledge of God, for certainly the author had these.
If indeed it's true that as of yet my praise is not truly sincere, then does this mean that God doesn't accept it? I can't fathom this to be true. If Go brings me to the point where I delight to praise Him, for whatever reason then I believe He will be glorified by it.
There does seem to be times when I'll talk to God and say words without even the desire to be sincere. These times I must fight against, But I don't think the verse refers to these times.
It may be that we cannot, due to our sinful nature praise God sincerely until we are glorified, but of all things that I don't know or am unsure of, I know this. My duty is to praise God with whatever sincerity (or lack of) He has given me. What else can I do?
What a joy to be able to praise God from a sincere heart! Apart from any selfish desire. Simply because it's right, and good.
Glory be to God.
Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking about something close to this earlier today, except about Romans 12:1. What makes our sacrifices holy and acceptable to God? I think it has to do with both our desire to be sincere (like you said in your post) and in God's mercy in accepting our incomplete praise.
"What a joy to be able to praise God from a sincere heart! Apart from any selfish desire. Simply because it's right, and good." amen. Thought from James 3:14: doing something "good" from a desire to be looked well upon by others is insincere and false to the truth.
Joseph, I really appreciate that you blog about your thoughts. :)
Hi. I just saw the link to your weblog and I thought why not stop and stare a little bit. It was nice "wandering like a cloud" and in the clouds.
ReplyDeleteGood Luck, and God be with you...
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