preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. [2 timothy 4:2]
if Jesus sat down with you right now, the King of kings and Lord of lords sat with you right now, what do you think that would be like? if you are his blood bought follower through faith in his work on the cross, i think three things would happen.
one, you would immediately worship. you would recognize and be overwhelmed by the glory of God in Jesus Christ the Son. you would fall on your face and exalt him. you would worship him unlike anything you have ever worshiped. and, you would worship like you have never worshiped.
second, you would confess and repent of the other things you have been exalting, worshiping. i don’t think you would have to be asked. i think as he lifted your face to his face, you would confess and repent in the gaze of his glory and holiness.
third, like never before, you would hear and experience complete forgiveness and acceptance from Jesus. and, you would believe him. you would know deep in your soul he completely forgives you not because of your work, but because of his work! and, you would know deep in your soul he completely accepts you not because you are good, but because he is good.
you would worship, repent, and be embraced in Jesus’ complete acceptance if you sat with your Savior right now.
every encounter in his WORD could be full of worship, repentance, and acceptance because you are in his presence.
why isn’t it? [1] we don’t read the word truly believing we are in the presence of Jesus. (he is the Word – john 1:1) [2] we don’t let the Word do one of the main things it is made to do – reprove us. to be reproved is to be called to repentance. it is to be shown our sin but also shown our Savior in a way that turns us to exalt him. this is one of the main roles of the Word, and one of the Lord’s ongoing works in us.
all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, … [2 timothy 3:16]
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, [2 timothy 4:2]
and have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “my son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. [hebrews 12:5]
those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. [revelation 3:19]
today, you can sit in the very presence of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords. i would encourage you to read philippians 2:5-11. ask the Lord to reprove you in his presence. worship, repentance, and acceptance will come because you are his son and daughter! because he loves you! and because he longs to transform you fully into his glorious image – that is worthy of exalting above all things!
~ john ryan