New Thoughts (7/5/03-7/7/03)
In the Ten Commandments, God used a fair number of 'Thou shalt nots' to teach us by these negatives what we were to do. Here, we find Him using the exact opposite method. Through Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, God is writing out a list of positive qualities He seeks in His children. In looking at them, then, it would be well for us to consider their opposites, so as to avoid doing that which would be displeasing in His sight. We would not be far wrong, certainly, to consider these opposed activities as sinful, for if Paul is expressing God's will for our character here, then to build our character in another direction would be to oppose God's will, and that which is not His will must surely be sinful to pursue. It is very much as Mr. Clarke indicates. In our youth, it would hardly be unusual to get caught up in pursuing such a course. Sinful, yes, but not unusual. However, as we progress into mature adulthood, we should be progressing. If we remain the same as we were in youth, if we still pursue this sinful course in spite of the wisdom of years, we have progressed from sinfulness to madness. To stay the course when we are aware of the dire end our course must inevitably arrive at can be nothing short of madness.
So let us consider the negative of this verse for a bit, to guard ourselves from false security. Begin with temperate. Webster's dictionary includes the following in its definition of this word: 'not extreme or excessive.' This gives us a pretty clear definition of what the opposite condition would be, and I think we would be wise to recognize that it is more than alcohol that is held in view here. True, alcohol is a favorite target for our moral warnings, and rightfully so, because it is a favorite place for us to exercise excess, and under its influence, our willingness to be more extreme is increased. But, a life of total abstinence from alcohol is not being insisted upon in this verse, nor is such a life sufficient to ensure that we are in good standing on this particular count. One can be given to excess in other areas: food, work, play, even church service. Notice that none of these things are bad things in and of themselves. Indeed, they are all good things. It is not the doing of these things that is sinful, it is the excessiveness of our pursuit of these things that is the issue. It is the extreme behavior we exhibit towards these things.
A teacher I heard many years ago made a statement that has stuck with me through the years: Anything pushed to an extreme is not of God. Here we see a Scriptural basis for that statement. The mature man has searched out God's Law, and understood it. He has taken to heart the fact that no thing is evil in and of itself, but he as also taken to hear the fact that this does not make its use by us desirable. All things are acceptable, but not all are profitable. If we insist on some habit or preference of ours under the heading of acceptable, but refuse to consider whether it is spiritually profitable for us to pursue, we have begun the approach to extremity. If we insist that the things we refrain from must be refrained from by anyone who would dare to call himself Christian, we have also arrived at extremity and excess. It cuts both ways. The mature man is to be free of both issues, enjoying the liberty God has given him without taking it as license to set aside the ideals God desires for him to exemplify.
What of being dignified? Where shall we find the opposite of this? Here, Webster's offers two definitions of the underlying word 'dignity' which I think we need to consider. The primary definition given is 'the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed.' However, there is another definition given at the end: 'formal reserve or seriousness of manner, appearance, or language.' Looking at that first definition, there is a certain alignment with the Greek word we are considering in this passage. Zodhiates gives us the synonym 'venerable,' one venerated, or at least shown worthy of veneration. This is interesting to me, in that a recent class at our church made the point that to be venerated was a bad thing for man, as our worship is to be reserved for God alone.
This feels like one of those extremes. Clearly, we are not to accept the worship that is due God. Man is not the proper recipient of worship. Yet, the instruction is to be dignified, venerable, and that instruction is not just here, but occurs repeatedly. In 1Timothy 3:8, Paul indicates that the deacons of the church are to be dignified. He places the same requirement on women in v11 of that same chapter. Here, he as required it of the men. That doesn't leave much of anybody out. So, what's going on here? If it is sinful to allow ourselves to be worshiped, how then is it a good thing to be - as much as it is in us to be - worthy of such worship? Consider the opposite. If we are not worthy, not honorable, what is left? Is God to be represented by worthlessness and dishonor? Are these qualities He would seek in His ambassadors? I should think not!
Or perhaps it is that other definition that Paul has in mind here, that we display 'formal reserve, seriousness of manner.' What then of the opposite in that case? Is it sinful to have a sense of humor? Is playfulness to be considered unchristian? Some look at the church of old, the Calvinists, the Puritans, and the like, and see just that. They see a religion of the dour. Is this really what God is looking for? I doubt that it's even an accurate portrayal of those earlier believers. Certainly, their faith was a serious business. For them, it was a matter of life or death. They lived with the possibility of dying for their beliefs. Do we really think that they had no knowledge of joy, of amusement? Even David displayed an amusing side from time to time. What was Michal's big complaint when he brought the ark into Jerusalem? He was not being dignified. Was he being honorable? Assuredly. Was he displaying formal reserve? Not on your life! No, by that definition, he was indeed most undignified, yet in that undignified display, he showed himself worthy of honor, as one who gave all honor and glory to God.
We are not called to be all seriousness and sour faces. That is the life of one whose focus remains caught up in the Law and its penalties. We are called to be filled with the joy of the Lord, the joy which is our strength. That joy comes, at least in part, from knowing that the penalty is paid, that our ability to bear up under the requirements of the Law have been provided for by the indwelling of God who declared the Law's requirements. It is He who is at work in us, both to will and to do! Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice! Rejoicing is not a silent activity. It's a loud and noisy business. It is undignified, even as David was undignified as he danced for joy before the Lord.
Neither is it a sin to be worthy of honor. Indeed, this is the quality we are encouraged to possess. We are to be venerable without being venerated, honorable without being worshiped. I really like the concept that Zodhiates includes here. We are to be those whose earthly dignity is due to the modesty which comes of heavenly citizenship. It is that citizenship in us that is our worth. It is the recognition that all that is good in us is Him which allows us to be venerable without falling into the sin of accepting man's worship as our due. It is that heavenly dignity that can allow us to be dignified even when our worship of God seems most undignified.
The next requirement Paul adds is 'sensible,' one sound in his reasoning, and ruled not by passion, but by what reasoning has arrived at. Foolishness, then, we must construe as sin. There is sufficient basis to think this. Scripture, especially in the Old Testament, speaks often of the ways of the fool, and never lends such behavior support. Our calling is to be innocent, not ignorant. Ignorance can not bear witness to the God of all knowledge. Who would hear? Who would listen. Does this, then, mean we should do our utmost to be wise in the ways of the world? No, the world's wisdom is foolishness in the sight of God. The concern, here, appears to be more a focus on having one's passions under control, to being one disinclined to being led by emotions.
What God sees as sensible can be glimpsed in the items that follow that particular instruction. Godly sensibility shows in being sound in faith, steadfast in love, and patient in perseverance. I want to look at these in reverse order, I think, beginning with patient perseverance. What is my reaction when things get difficult? More often than not, I get uptight and upset. More often than not, I get angry. Passion begins to take over again. In the face of passion, reason and sensibility retreat to await a calmer moment. We cannot be reasonable in a rage. It won't work. Where the sensibility of maturity is firmly rooted, the same situations are simply taken in stride.
Mature sensibility understands that even in these difficult circumstances, the hand of God is present. He has not forsaken us. Where He brings trials, He provides answers. Where He is at work in the life of the believer (and where isn't He at work?) the believer can rest in the fact that all things are being worked together for His good. If our faith is sound, if our belief is real, based on real understanding, and not just emotional workups, then knowing our God to truly be our Father, our Brother, our Lord, our Savior, knowing that His word, and knowing His word is true, these things will empower our sensibility. These things will form the basis for our reasonable reaction to circumstance: patient perseverance.
Sound love, sensible love, is likewise not some primal, emotional froth. It is not the passion of romance, not even the emotional bond we may feel for one with whom we have shared the intensities of experience. Although these things, if not twisted by sin, may be healthy emotions, they are not the matter under inspection here. The sound love goes beyond emotion, although it does not leave emotion behind. It is not some detached, heartless benevolence. It is not a matter of philanthropic effort done with no real concern for, no real attachment to the objects of the effort. I think it quite possible that we could give to the poor almost constantly from our bounty, and yet not display sound love. Some might do it for reasons of finance, seeking nothing more noble than a tax write off. Some might do it for pride, a labor of works in hopes of enhancing reputation. All sorts of motives might exist for such activities, but it is the heart of compassion which motivates sound love.
Compassion alone will not suffice, either. We can feel for the suffering of others, and yet fail to act. Perhaps it is fear of bringing injury upon ourselves. Perhaps it is just a dearth of self confidence. Perhaps our care for ourselves simply outweighs our care for anybody else. Compassion is the proper stone upon which to build sound love, but it will not be sound until love has prompted us to do what love requires. We need look no further than Jesus to see the extent to which this principle ought apply. Fear of personal injury in getting involved? Jesus looked with compassion upon the earth, saw what that love required of Him, and gave His life in most painful fashion to bring life into that sad world.
Jesus faced the Jewish nation and the might of Rome, and them backed by all the forces of hell. In His own army, He had but twelve simple men, and one of them known to be a traitor waiting to spring his trap. Against this mighty army, what cause could He possibly have had for self-confidence? None. That is precisely the point. If we are at the end of our self-confidence, we have arrived at the beginning of faith! Our actions cannot, dare not, depend on our own strength. Such dependency is bound to fail us. Neither can our willingness to take action depend on the strength or prowess of any other man among us. The greatest heroes of our day or any other day are as nothing in the situations faced by sound love. There is only One on whom we can depend, and He is faithful.
Care for the self? Jesus took no care for Himself. His reputation among men was of no concern to Him. His personal comfort was of no concern to Him. God's reputation, and God's plans and purposes; these were His concerns. Where God's purpose pointed out a need, Jesus' own love flowed out to meet the need. There was nothing that sound love would require of Him that He would not do. What, then, prevents me from doing what love requires?
My God, sometimes this love requires difficult things. Sometimes, the things love requires seem to contradict. Even this morning, even this very moment, You have brought to mind the commitment to my family that love requires, the commitment to holding at least one night a week as dedicated to family pursuits, to ministry in this household. Yet, here is a brother also in need of help, facing an evening that may have great impact on his future, a future which seeks to serve You. Twice, now, this brother has called on me for help, and for one reason or another I have not answered the call. God, it's not that I'm uncertain as to what love requires in this instance. My love for You and my love for the family You have entrusted to me require that I be true to my word to them, that I take a stand and keep this night reserved for them.
Yet, here is a brother who has shown himself willing to help when I've called on him. Here is one who shares much of the load I am asked to bear. Why, Lord, am I called upon to say 'no?' Is this what love requires in that relationship as well? Father, I know that that is the answer that must come, but, oh, how I wish I understood better why You require it.
Matthew Henry declares in his commentary that it is only with sincere love to God that we can properly fulfill our duties towards man. Isn't this true! As much as it is true that we cannot possibly love God, whom we cannot see, if we cannot love the brother standing before us; it is equally true that we cannot possibly love that brother fully and correctly, unless and until our love towards God is sincere. We need that sound love, that love that knows who it is that it loves. We need sensible love, love of God not because of some great times we have shared, not because there is so much He can and does give us, but simply because of who He is. Such a love we cannot offer until we have learned who He is.
Sound love, like the patience which accompanies it, must have faith as its foundation - sound faith, sensible faith, faith that is more than blind acceptance. Faith comes in the forefront of this list of sensible soundness for the simple fact that it is the bedrock upholding all else. Reason and faith walk hand in hand. They are not adversaries, they are not opposing ideals. They are strands woven together into an unbreakable cord. Into that same cord are woven love and patience. They intertwine in patterns most wonderful to behold, creating a beauty in the life of their possessor that cannot but change the aspect of all who see it. Therein lies strength of conviction. Therein lies the power to act. Therein lies the power of God prepared to be shed forth upon the earth.
The sum of the matter is this: The mature man may not be a teacher at present, at least not in the ways we generally think of. However, every mature man is potentially a teacher, and by his example, may be teaching those around him in a more passive sense. Given this situation, it becomes all the more important that those who are physically mature should be spiritually mature. Life and doctrine should be united in such a one. We have all heard that example teaches far more than all our words ever will. If our life is lived in fashions completely other than the things we teach as right, those who hear and see us will come to think that it matters little what is right. The ideals upheld by Christian teaching will be seen as no more than that - ideals to be revered as ideas, but with no real application to daily life.
While not elderly, I am of mature age now. I must accept this responsibility, because it will be mine whether I accept or not. It is a simple fact of life that the example of the elder will teach the younger. What in me would I have those around me to learn? Am I temperate, in full control of my emotions? Sometimes. Other times, I know I give them vent. Am I dignified, worthy of honor? Perhaps. One must be careful here, though. There is that which the world will consider honorable, and then there is that which God considers honorable. It's quite easy to become satisfied with the world's view. It's more comfortable, after all - easier to fill. Scripture tells us, however, that there is that course of action and life which is pleasing both in the sight of God and the sight of man. Am I sensible? Yes, I think so. Logic and reason are, after all, the strong points of my profession, and God has been seeing to it that logic and reason are given solid underpinning. Most importantly, though, am I sound in faith, love, and perseverance?
God, You know how this has challenged me of late. Through my wife, You have called me on that as recently as last night. Where is that trust in Your provision that held me through the challenges of job loss? How has it become so eroded so quickly? Bring me back to that place. Get back to that place, oh soul of mine! You know better! Holy One, You remain my hope, my Rock. If I have been putting my trust in myself, in my realtor, in anything less than You, forgive me. You alone are my rescue. From You alone does my sustenance come, and in You alone is my future certain, and laid out before me. I know these things, my King, I know them well. Yet, how easily, like David at his low times, do I forget what I know! How easily do I allow the sight of myself in my weakness shake the faith I have in You, the almighty, all wise God, my Father, my King, and my Provider!
Holy Lord, I want to be one of those whose life and doctrine are so united as to be inseparable, one whose life teaches by its every action the truth of Your Gospel, the power of purity. I do not wish to be found, like Martha, so busy laboring to help You out that I miss spending time with You in the process, yet I do long to be of service to You. Bring me to balance, Lord, that my life's example may also reflect that balance to those who come after me. In this period, my King, where I am not teaching directly and actively, mold this life into a vessel of instruction in the day to day. Make of me such a one, my God, as can be a beacon for Your love.
There is a key given to this life I would lead. There is a key to arriving at the junction of faith and action, to living a life free of the usual dichotomies of act and belief. Not surprisingly, that key is found in Scripture, just as we have found the requirement there. The key is simple to understand, though it may be incredibly hard to implement. The key is this: Constantly bear in mind your work of faith - [now there's an interesting phrase!], your labor of love, and your steadfast hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father. (1Th 1:3). These are the recollections Paul brought before God in all his prayers for this church. In this, we also find a key to living a life that will bear such recollections. If we were to boil it down, it comes to this: Live always as in the presence of your God and Father. You know and I know that this is the truth of our existence anyway. Whether we live like it or not, whether we act as if we knew it or not, it remains true. Every moment of our lives, every thought we ponder, is played out before the attentive eyes of God.
Do we give Him reason to be pleased in what He sees? Surely, the answer to that will be mixed at best. But, thanks be to God that when He looks upon us now, it is through the lens of His Son! And in that lens, all is covered by His Son's own righteousness. Has He then chosen to ignore what we really are like? No! He sees what we really are like, once freed of the bonds of sinfulness. He sees the end from the beginning. He knows how it's all going to play out, and it is upon this finished product that He rests His eyes. He sees your trials, your failures, your anguish. These He sees and He brings answer for. But, ever, His eye is upon the end of the story of our lives, and in this, because of His Son, He is well pleased.
In the meantime, we have been given the tools of gaining victory over ourselves in this life. Live in recognition of His eternal presence. Live, as Charlie Peacock once wrote, like heaven is a real place. Meditate on His Word day and night. Keep the Scriptures ever before you, a constant reminder of Him who sits on the throne. Think upon His instructions throughout the day, that they may guide your actions and your conversations. Let no idle words pass from your mouth, knowing that you will answer for every slightest comment on the day of His coming to judge the quick and the dead. Give yourself no further cause for shame on that day, for even the greatest of saints will have to take that stand, and hear the honest report of their lives. We are assured of the outcome, because our Defender, our Advocate, is perfectly equipped for our defense, but what shame and sorrow we will have brought upon ourselves! How hard will He have to labor in my defense?
Let us all live always in His presence, conscious of His presence, in reverent worship of His presence.
