You
undoubtedly felt awkward the first time you had to learn which
fork to use. But with that knowledge you can enter any dining
experience with confidence. The same is true when you dine at
God's table. At first it seems difficult. But learning the right
manners makes it possible for you to be in any situation and
please the Father.
Table manners at God's table:
*
You have to do your own chewing. Too many Christians expect God to
take out a spoon and dish up the blessing for them. He is supposed
to place it in our mouths, work our jaws to chew it up, and help
us swallow it. We want God to do everything. The fact is that you
have responsibility in God's sovereign world.
* Accept the
seating. Take the lowest seat, the seat of humility and service.
If God wants you to sit higher up, He will show you that, but err
on the side of humility, not pride.
* Finish the meal. John
3:16 tells us, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only
begotten Son." Some believe that because God has already come and
died for the sins of the world, they don't have to do anything
else. However, it's important to finish the phrase regarding man's
responsibility: "whosoever believes in Him shall not perish, but
have everlasting life." You must come to Him in order to receive
the forgiveness that He purchased for you.
* Read the menu.
You must spend time reading what God has prepared. Read your
Bible, meditate on the Word. It will give you strength and
illumination according to God's plan for your life. It will keep
you on course and remind you of your responsibilities in order to
fulfill the plan of God.
* Count the fruit. If you are not
willing to bear fruit for Him, then He is not obligated to answer
your requests, even if you ask things in His name. Jesus declares,
"Everyone that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who
comes to me I will never drive away" (John 6:37). The Holy Spirit
inspires us to go to Jesus and do what He asks of us. His
sovereignty makes the first move toward us, but because He gave us
free will, we must move toward Him as
well.