February 09, 2012
Just a Suggestion
In one of my on-line classes the Professor gave an audio instruction
for her class. After one set of requirements I was put on notice when she said,
“This is not a suggestion.” Although
she spoke in a calm voice, her statement registered in Bold, CAPS and underlined. I’m wondering if many of us are
lackadaisical when reading the words of Jesus and we simply take them as a
suggestion. It’s entirely possible that those red-letter editions of the Bible
are trying to tell us that the words of Jesus are not just a suggestion.
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Gail;
-----It is interesting you should mention this. As an English major in High School, I understood the imperative mood. I wasn’t surprised to find it again when I studied NT Greek in college. For many years it struck me oddly how many more imperatives there were in the Bible than there was obedience amongst His people. Especially than there was in me (I knew my points of failure a little better than I knew those of others, having to see them 24-7 and all.) Some of these imperatives are about bad attitudes and misbehaviors we consider quite normal and even acceptable. For example: “So let no one boast of men.” (I Cor 3:21) I think you probably remember how sick many of us were getting of Rick Warren, Rick Warren, Rick, Rick, Rick, Warren, Warren, Warren. For years it never stopped. And he used his big popularity to deliver a lot of votes to Barrack Obama, too. Good example of why never to boast of men. “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted...” (Eph 4:32) Kindness is a deep concept. If one tries to treat another like he would want to be treated, he won’t necessarily be the kindest. It is a good place to start. But when you treat another like they want to be treated you have stepped a foot closer to the kindest. We are too quick to think the spirituality we have is the spirituality everyone is growing into. We then measure our kindness accordingly, while being unaware that this is too subjective to be really effective. “Husbands, love your wives,” Col 3:19 The man who majors in the lifelong study of his wife will not only master kindness towards her, but he will also become a living, moving picture of what God is to His people. It is a large part of what the marriage relationship is about. And doing it “...as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” (Eph 5:25) is the sure way of keeping the peaceful place where love can thrive, even though it may get costly: “...being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death,” (Phil 2:8) Oh my! If we guys only knew dating would lead to death! But where some of the elements which we are will die for being the last option in holding together a sanctified relationship, new elements will always grow. And we learn what it is to die daily.
-----These little statements which are so easily taken as merely suggestions or encouragements open up like Zip files. They are packed with meaning and life. The effect of doing them is tremendous, not just personally, but upon the church and anyone else their actions touch, too. They draw pictures that testify to the truth of the Word and the life of the Lord. Yet, maybe the greatest thing about them is oddly in the negative purview of our really not taking them as serious imperatives, “...that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.” (Eph 3:10) God had something so important to show His obedient angels that He could only show it through the church. The destruction of the Destroyer will be overcome by His mercy and grace alone. The misbehaviors in the church show above all His copious application of mercy.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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