Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

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No Matter How Bad it Gets . . .

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The prophet Habakkuk questioned God about the turmoil he was experiencing in his culture. In the opening verses of the book that bears his name, Habakkuk lists the problems he saw around him. Iniquity, injustice, destruction and violence are listed in his complaint. Do these complaints sound familiar? A brief survey of the news will provide multiple examples of each of these items.

God’s response in Habakkuk 1:5 strikes me, “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.”

To me this says that no matter how chaotic and evil world events are, God has not given up control and he is orchestrating events for his ultimate purpose. We wonder why individual events take place; some of them make no sense to us who are finite and bound by time. Yet, God knows what he is doing and there is no-one, Satan included, who can derail his plan.

When I read of an event, I am often tempted to ask why God allowed it to happen. Perhaps instead of asking this question, I should be asking God what he would like me to do in response to it. I cannot control world events, but I can pray for the leaders driving the events. I cannot solve world hunger, but I can seek God as to how I can be a good steward of what he has given me. I cannot meet every need and fix every problem in the people around me, but I can seek to be led by God as to which needs he is asking me to meet.

In Matthew 10:16 we are called to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Perhaps the innocence is fostered by knowledge of complete dependence upon God for his wisdom, strength and leading.

God has been, is, and will remain in control of world events. The question each of us needs to ask is, “am I willing to surrender control of my life to God?” Then ask the follow up question, “what would you have me do in response to the problems I see?”

Not a bad epitaph

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I have heard it suggested that it is a profitable exercise to write out what one wants on his tombstone and then live the rest of his life making it true. In the spirit of this suggestion, I would like to be described like Noah in Genesis 6:9. In that verse, there are three statements about Noah:

  1. He was a righteous man
  2. He was blameless in his generation
  3. He walked with God

Based on this, I choose to seek purity and righteousness at the core of my being. I seek to live in peace with those who God brings into my life. I also seek to live my life in intimacy with God and daily dependence upon him.

I choose this, but often miss the mark. I thank God that Jesus’ righteousness covers my failings (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).

No Running

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No RunningIn the English Standard Version of the Bible, at least nine times we are told to “stand firm.” The implication is that there is battle to be enjoined and there should be no thought of running. The metaphor makes sense, to stand firm in a battle in Biblical times would make the difference between life and death. The soldier’s weapons only protect him when he is facing the enemy. To turn his back would be suicide.

In 21st Century America, it is right for Christians to reach out to the increasingly larger unbelieving segment of the population. However, to do so, there is temptation to accommodate the teaching of the church to popular wisdom to broaden the church’s appeal. There is pressure to run from what are seen as controversial or antiquated teachings of Christianity. This we cannot do, we must stand firm on the clear teaching of Scripture regardless of the pressure brought to bear by the culture at large.

When things get difficult I am tempted to run. When trouble comes, I want to question whether I am following God’s will. When it’s hard, I am tempted to find a smoother road. It is easier to run somewhere else than to stand on conviction and face the consequences.

I am tempted to run when criticism comes my way. I am likely to run away from my sense of what is right and best, in order to keep people happy. Yet, the best course of action is to stand firm in my conviction while being open to hearing from God.

The statements and commands regarding standing firm are evidence to me that I am not alone in this struggle. So for the benefit of all of us who are tempted to run, here are some of the times we are told to stand firm in the New Testament:

  • 1 Corinthians 16:13– Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong
  • Galatians 5:1– For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore . . .
  • Ephesians 6:13– Therefore take up the whole armor of God . . . . to stand firm
  • Philippians 4:1– stand firm thus in the Lord
  • 2 Thessalonians 2:15– stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught by us
  • 1 Peter 5:12 – Stand firm in [the true grace of God’]

My job is to stand, even when it is scary or difficult to do so. Based on these Scriptures, I believe that running is not an option.

Fortunately, there are two things on which I can rely as I seek to stand firm. The first is the Holy Spirit who is given to us to provide wisdom and strength. The second is Scripture which provides guidance and certainty as to God’s revealed will.

With these two sources of certainty, I can aspire to emulate Martin Luther when he said:

I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen

Actions speak louder than words

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megaphone2 “Actions speak louder than words” is a proverb whose over use sometimes masks the truth it contains. I read in Genesis 15:6, that Abram (soon to be Abraham) “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” In Habakkuk 2:4, it says, “righteous shall live by his faith.”

All through Scripture we find that faith ( belief) and righteousness (action) are tied together. What we do comes as a result of what we believe. Therefore, what someone does is a good indication of what they believe.

For most of us (or perhaps I am only speaking for myself) this is a mixed bag. We have areas where our correct belief leads us to good practice, and then there are areas where our belief is week or misguided and we flip-flop like a fish on the dock.

For example, most of the time I am confident in God’s love for me and that confidence spills over into my relationships. When I have this confidence, I have freedom in relationships and I am not devastated if criticism comes my way. Then there are other times when I lack that confidence and I hear criticism in statements that are not intended to be critical.

The point of this is that the phrase “actions speak louder than words” should be used not so much for assessing others as for assessing myself. When my actions are not what I like them to be, I need to be honest about what belief (or unbelief) is underlying those actions.

One of my favorite prayers in Scripture is found in Mark 9:24 where a father cries out to Jesus, “I believe; help my unbelief!” This a pretty good starting place for positive change.

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