Hungry for God: Not Close Enough

“And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.”—Mark 6:19-20.

Conviction does not equal salvation. John the Baptist was a great man of God who spoke out on the illegitimate marriage of Herod, and he was imprisoned for it. Herodias, Herod’s illegitimate wife, hated John the Baptist and wanted him dead, but Herod didn’t hate John, despite John’s words and his wife’s desires. In actuality, he feared John, because he knew that John was a man of God. So, rather than kill him, he kept him safe and in prison. Every so often, he had John brought to him. John was no respecter of persons and had no problem preaching the words of God to him. He was bold, even in the face of the one who could put him to death. It didn’t matter; he continued to speak out about the illegitimacy of Herod’s marriage. Herod enjoyed hearing John, even if John spoke out against him, and it was troubling, but he desired to hear him nonetheless.

If the story were to end there, then we would be filled with hope for Herod’s salvation, but the story had a tragic and twisted ending. Herodias’ daughter danced for Herod and his guests at a dinner party in a sexual and seductive manner, eliciting praise and a promise from her step-father uncle. She could ask for anything she wished and he would give it to her, even up to half the kingdom. Excited, she runs to consult her mother who jumps on her opportunity to be rid of John the Baptist. The girl returns and lays out her request: “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter”—Mark 6:25.  Reluctant because of his delight in John, but not wanting to lose face in front of his guests, he grants her request. John the Baptist is executed and his head is brought to the girl, who gives it to her mother.

Herod’s story is tragic. He was so close to the kingdom of God, but not close enough. And his life should serve as a warning to us. We may experience the delight of hearing the Word of God preached, and having our consciences pricked by the Spirit as we are convicted of our sin. But don’t make the foolish mistake, as Herod did, of believing conviction is equal to salvation—it's not. Conviction is the first step in being aware of our sin, but without repentance and confession in Christ, we have only experienced feelings of remorse. The Bible explains the nuances of it:

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death”—2 Corinthians 7:10.

Do you experience worldly grief or godly grief? Herod experienced worldly grief, but made no effort at repentance. The grief over our sin must be godly grief, because that leads to repentance and to life. Worldly grief only experiences sorrow now, but ultimately ends in death.

If God’s Spirit is in you, then you will do anything to experience the restoration of fellowship that was broken by your sin. Don’t let the enemy fool you into thinking that you don’t need to repent; we all do. Run to God with a repentant heart, ask Him to cleanse you, claim the shed blood of Jesus over your sins, and let God make you clean as only He can, for His glory and your joy. Amen.