Don't be a Golden Shell
'Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to his father David...he made the Most Holy Place; its length corresponded to the width of the temple—twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. And he overlaid the inside with six hundred talents of fine gold...He also overlaid the upper area with gold.' 2 Chronicles 3:1 & 8-9
'Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart' 1 Samuel 16:7
Solomon was committed to building the temple, a place for God's presence, where the people could minister to the LORD. He had been handed down the 'commissioning' of the work by his father, King David, and he was determined that every detail be perfect. He overlaid the inside of the temple with 21 tonnes of gold! Surely this would be the holy place?! Surely God would dwell here?
But God isn't really interested in what we line our temples with, He is only concerned with our hearts. That's why He gives us 'new hearts', hearts of flesh, and He puts a new spirit within us (Ezekiel 36:26). God isn't seeking lives overlaid with gold, made to look 'perfect' to the outside observer; He's after the heart within each of us. Don't be a golden shell, who is so concerned with being a 'good christian' that you miss the point. God wants relationship with you! Gold is utterly meaningless compared with your heart. Don't make your worship about gold overlay. God is seeking worshippers who worship in Spirit and Truth. God isn't interested in the sparkly, golden version of your offering, but in the love that motivates the offering.
Through Christ we have new hearts, new spirits, and new righteousness, Christ-righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). We have new mercy every morning, every moment, and a new song of worship in our mouths which we are free to pour out at the feet of Jesus; unglamorous, raw and authentic. We come to the throne through Christ, through His love, His righteousness, His grace, not our 21 tonnes of gold. Enter in to His presence freely today, because Christ has made a way.