Presented before Perfection

"Presenting myself to God implies a recognition that I am altogether His."- Watchman Nee

The Bible speaks of the believer progressing towards presentation before the One who is perfect.  We are to be taught and trained to do the "work of the ministry," fully equipped to be presented before Christ for His approval at the Bema Seat.  We need to see that our ministry and church "work" are to be done for the perfecting of the saints and the presentation before the Savior.

I think many of us have a poor understanding of judgment for believers.  There is no condemnation for believer because of sins.  His believe has him covered in the righteous blood of the Lamb of God.  Jesus assured Nicodemus that He came to give life, not to condemn the world.  We, too, live under that same promise made by the Master to His late-night visitor who crept in under the cover of darkness.  What Jesus shared with Nicodemus is carried over to all who believe.

But there is more to it than to "only believe." The believer has a responsibility.  Take up your cross.  Forsake all others.  Follow Jesus.  Serve the Lord.

In all that we do for the Lord, we will be called on what we have done and what we have not done in His name and with His Word (Rev. 3:8).  One day the dead in Christ will be called up to meet Him in the air at His judgment seat.  It is there whre the Lord will call our works into judgment, not our sins.  He will call us on what we did in His name and how we served others with love, honor and integrity.  He will seek an answer and an account for all that we have done with our faith.

Just coming to church regularly won't do.  Simply wearing a cross around your neck or sporting a Not of This World t-shirt won't cut it.

I think the brother of the Lord, James, said it best: "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do" (James 2:18, NIV).

Watchman Nee is sharing something similar with the believer in The Normal Christian Life.  He uses Romans chapter 6 as a focus, but he hones in on Romans 6:19.  He shares that the believer should have already presented himself entirely over to God.  This is what makes the believer holy.  This what sanctifies the believer, total submision of one's entire being given over to God.  He wants to be His "very own" people (Titus 2:14).  As Peter said, He wants to make us into His "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9).

Be changed today.  Live differently today.  There is freeedom in Christ.  Live for Him, and then you will not be ashamed on the day when the trumpet sounds.  You will be prepared for your presentation before perfection.