MARCH 23 AND 29

Lent 4 Characteristics of Christian Conduct 3/23 & 26/06

The spiritually maturing is consistent and persistent in living out and giving out the gospel. Based upon what you know of Jesus, are you steadily becoming more like Him? This is called “sanctification”. Becoming more and more like Jesus…the One in whose name we gather, in whose presence we walk each step, each day…is not “something” we do, but, rather it is “all” that we do…not some part of our life, but life itself. “Lift high the cross, the love of Christ proclaim, ‘till all the world adores his sacred name.”

Paul insists upon this in Philippians 1:27: “…so that, whether I come to see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel.” Again in our hymnody: “Led on their way by this triumphant sign, the hosts of God in conquering ranks combine.” Paul was suspicious that the Christians at Philippi were behaving one way in the presence of dignitaries---himself included---but quite another way when they imagined no one was watching. This is a common human temptation, as revealed in the adage, “When the cat’s away, the mice will play!” Consider for yourself, “Have you ever done something because you believed no one was watching?” If your answer is “yes,” then you know of Paul’s concern and acknowledge your own spiritual immaturity!

Certainly one mark of maturing spiritually is “faithfulness”…the blessed, God-expected and empowered ability to see a thing through, to be reliable, responsible, and dependable…aware of and confessing the fact that to God “all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid.” Again, in song, “Lead on, O King eternal, we follow not with fears.” In 2 Samuel 23 we read of David’s “right-hand” men, a rather fascinating group, particularly when we consider what they were like before David called them into service! But, God through David, transformed them into reliable, faithful men. Consider Benaiah…he awakens to a howling snow-storm, but he was not hoping for a “snow day”! He kills two “lion-like men of Moab” (23:20). Benaiah, then, falls into a pit, a trap set by the enemy. If this were not bad enough, a lion has already fallen into this same pit. Benaiah kills the lion, too! He took his responsibility seriously and remained faithful to its completion… “standing firm”…no compromising!

As “faithfulness” is a mark of the spiritually maturing individual and congregation, so is “forcefulness.” Paul writes that all followers of Christ are to be “standing firm in one spirit.” From the Greek term used here we derive our word “athletics”, as in Olympics. Paul, I assure you, is not thinking of ice-dancing nor curling when he uses this term, but most certainly refers to “Greco-Roman” wrestling. But even our modern-day Greco-Roman wrestling differs significantly from the wrestling Paul has in mind. Wrestlers, in Paul’s day, would stand as a team, shoulder to shoulder, facing the opposition. At a given signal, both teams would leap into action…hence, Paul’s reference to “striving side by side.” Christian conduct and community should closely resemble this athletic imagery, aware of the ongoing competition between good and evil and our involvement in this battle. We are to live and move, shoulder to shoulder, “side by side”, strengthening and supporting one another against the enemy. For some, this language may sound strong, even extreme, but denying we are in a battle doesn’t make it so! This reality is a strong catalyst in our present discernment and prayer regarding Youth Ministry…we are concerned about our young people’s earthly life and eternal life! Let us recall how Paul describes the devil… “as a roaring lion prowling around to devour someone.” Paul’s language, not mine!

Our Christian hymnody supports this biblical imagery, as we sing “Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before. Christ, the royal master, leads against the foe, forward into battle, see, his banners go!” (#509) I stand beside you, praying that you’ll stand beside me, as our Lord leads His force in faith, “striving side by side.” The language Martin Luther chooses to use in the great hymn of the Protestant Reformation, sounds “Olympic” in nature: “The old satanic foe, Has sworn to work us woe! With craft and dreadful might He arms himself to fight. On earth he has no equal. No strength of ours can match his might! We would be lost, rejected. But now a champion comes to fight, Whom God himself elected. You ask who this may be? The Lord of hosts is he! Christ Jesus, mighty Lord, God’s only Son, adored. He holds the field victorious.” #229 Luther’s language, not mine.

As with any “team” effort, the spiritually maturing Christian lives life in community, within the family of faith. If your deeds and words are intended to divide, you fail to be working “ side by side, with one mind.” AMEN