Holy Boldness

of God becomes our chief joy. Over time, the sense that God has taken note of our obedience when no one else sees it becomes an extraordinary joy and we start to value God’s approval over all the applause of men. When we do “righteous deeds” to be seen by men it demonstrates two things. First, it says that we are more concerned about what men think of us than what God thinks. Secondly, it reveals that when we do such things we must not think that God’s approval is of very much value. Ultimately it says that we do not believe the Gospel. We do not believe that there is any benefit to serving God. We are still living from a purely earthly mindset and not from a heavenly one. How important is this really? The Old Testament book of Mala chi records a conversation between the Lord and His people the Jews. It seems the Lord was listening in on some conversations that the Jews were having among themselves. Near the end of Chapter 3, he tells them that they had been speaking against Him. They asked him defiantly, “How have we spoken against you?” God’s answer is recorded in 3:13-15 “Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’ ( Malachi 3:13-15) The challenge of the prosperity of the wicked is universal. Many have lost their faith as wickedness began to spread in their lifetime. The temptation is to conclude that God does not care, that he does not exist, or that He can not intervene. In this passage, the prophet makes Judah aware that God is listening to their conversations and taking note. God takes the accusation of His aloofness personally. However, the next few verses reveal another type of conversation God was listening to. Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. (Mal 3:16-18)

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