Leaning Towards Extremes Pt. 1

The Bible calls us to be temperate (showing moderation in action, thought, or feeling. Not to be confused with the unappealing, indifferent, luke-warmness of Rev 3:16.) However, we often lean towards extremes. As far as how we approach God’s word and our service to Him, we’re usually either liberalistic or legalistic. LAW: • Taken together, the first five books of the Old Testament, and books of the prophets (both major and minor) make up the entire Old Testament, and designate the law. Jesus plainly said that he wasn’t abolishing the law, but was fulfilling them (in the sense that he gave them their full meaning). He purposed to emphasize the deep underlying principles of what it was intended to teach. He wanted to make it known that a total commitment to them was necessary, meaning a commitment at heart, not just mere external knowledge and obedience (from NIV note on Mt 5:17, 18). This was particularly impactful because believers, then and now, find that a mere acknowledgement of the dos and don’ts of God’s word reduces them to rules that they’re not able to follow in every instance of their lives. Jesus’ focus was on the faith that it takes to accept the free gift of salvation, the same faith that works continuous change in the everyday life of a believer and results in obedience to His word, which is the Holy Bible. • While Jesus affirms the continuing authority of the law, people again -in an attempt to make invalid what doesn’t appeal to them- try to validate the spoken word (red letters) of our God in the flesh, Jesus, as the only word of God. However, the Bible is clear that Jesus has been speaking since the beginning, before he was born human, made to walk the earth (1Jn 1:1, 2, 14). The Holy Bible in John 1:17 speaks of God’s will being brought about by two individuals (Moses and Jesus Christ), with two methods (law and grace), and one goal (to glorify God). So, the Old and New Testaments could never oppose one another because they both speak of who God is (holy). In Luke 16:17, Jesus makes it clear that his word includes the Old Testament, and that none of it will pass away, not one pen stroke (Mt 24:35; Lk 21:33). He’s emphatic. The entire Holy Bible is the law of God! All scripture is God-breathed, and was useful then and is useful today (2Ti 3:16). • Jesus summarized the law (or God’s commandments) as the law to love, saying, ‘Love the Lord with all that you have, and love everyone as you love yourself’ (Mt 7:12; Mk 12:30, 31, my paraphrasing; 1Jn 4:8). LEGALISM: • legalism – n. 1. strict, literal, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious or moral code • Jesus directed a ‘woe’ (an expression of sorrow, misfortune, suffering, calamity, regret) at the very people who should’ve known better and been opening people’s minds concerning the law. But instead they obscured their understanding with faulty interpretation and an erroneous (mistaken, wandering) system of theology (Instead of following the Word and seeking God for an understanding of it, they made up stuff as they went along!). They kept themselves and the people in ignorance of the way of salvation, or as Matthew’s account puts it, they “shut the kingdom of heaven on men’s faces” (from Zondervan NIV Study Bible note on Lk 11:52). And the same woe applies to us today, if we choose to follow their example. • In the previously mentioned ‘Seven Woes’ of Jesus, he condemned this legalism as hypocrisy that misleads, particularly the hypocrisy of those who should’ve been, and claimed to be, learned –and the Bible calls us all to be learned (Mt 23:13; 2Ti 2:15). • Hypocritical legalism burdens us with rules prescribed by people who don’t even practice what they preach. But do so for the purpose of putting on airs to make a show of religion in order to be approved by man, not to glorify God (Mt 23:3-7). • By definition alone legalism (strict, or excessive conformity to the law or to a religious moral code; m-w.com) isn’t wrong because the Lord commands us to be holy (perfect in goodness and righteousness; devoted entirely to God; m-w.com). Jesus himself was commended for what can be interpreted as legalism. After all he did live a perfect sinless life (He 4:15). But in his ‘Seven Woes’, Jesus wasn’t referring to a sincere desire to please God by following His word when he spoke of legalism, but a warped distorting of scripture based on faulty motives. Yes God wants us to be holy, as He is, but understand that we cannot become holy under our own power and merit. As co-laborers with the Lord, we do our best to conform to the Word, but ultimately entrust Him to enable us where we’re lacking, and to bring about an inward change that produces obedience when we walk with faith in the Holy Bible (Lev 11:44; 1Pe 1:16; 1Co 3:9; 2Co 5:17; Ro 12:2). God would be unjust if he commanded us to do what we can’t (Ps 9:16; 1Co 10:13; Jas 4:7). LIBERALISM: • liberalism – n. 2.a. a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity TEMPERANCE: • Synonymous, or nearly synonymous, to temperance are: self-control ( – n. exercising restraint over one’s actions, emotions, or desires), moderate (– adj. avoiding extremes: level-headed, rational, reasonable, sensible), disciplined, even-tempered, restrained, controlled, deliberate. • Paul writes that temperance must be taught and encouraged to set the right moral and spiritual example, among the unsaved especially (Tit 2:1-8). • Temperance is to be acquired through effort (2Pe 1:6). A Christian’s knowledge of God should affect the way they live. It doesn’t set us free from being morally restrained, as the heretics (specifically Gnostics) of the time of the New Testament church taught. Rather, it produces holiness and all such virtues (Zondervan, 2Pe 1:8; see also Lev 20:26; 1Pe 1:16). • Self-control is part of the fruit of the Spirit, and is evident in a person who lives ‘in step’ with the Spirit (Gal 5:23, 25). • Self-discipline is God-given (2Ti 1:7). It’s the mark of a person who is confident in the Lord, his teaching, his power, and his promises. Children of God are not fearful, timid, shrinking, cowards, led by their flesh (opinions and feelings), but they are full of faith, trusting in Him! • In light of Christ’s return, Paul encourages us to be alert, even-tempered, and knowledgeable of the Lord’s ways; not like the ‘sleeping’ and spiritually insensitive (1Pe 4:7; 1Th 5:6, 8). • A person lacking temperance is ripe for the picking, ready to be devoured by the roaring lion: Satan (1Pe 5:8). • An ill-tempered person -a person who lacks self-control- is regarded as godless (2Ti 3:1-4). We know that we’re to be controlled by nothing, but the Holy Spirit (Ro 6:16; Gal 5:16, 18, 25; 2Pe 2:19). God made us to have emotions –as He does, but our emotions aren’t to have us (Pr 25:28; 29:11; Isa 5:25; Col 3:20). The Lord certainly approves of diligence, fervency, and zeal in service to Him (Ro 12:11; Jas 5:16; Heb 6:11; 1Ti 4:15). But lack of self-control or lack of temperance? Not so much. God is not a God of disorder but of peace (1Co 14:33). The church has often experienced popular shifts in her approach to serving the Lord. In years past, Christianity was stuffy, strict, calloused, cold, and very legalistic, which has caused a backlash and equally extreme shift to the anything-goes, let’s-keep-up-with-the-world liberalistic approach of today. The teaching of the Bible is best understood as a whole, with all parts coinciding and validating each other in proper context, with proper motive. It’s a lack of proper context or motive that causes the leaning towards extremes. Worship that’s pleasing to God is a view that recognizes the big picture while not neglecting the details, and recognizes the details while not neglecting the big picture, all with a spirit to ultimately glorify God. Satan has convinced many to accept the parts of the Bible that are appealing and reject parts that aren’t. It’s the love of God, and his (entire) Word, which causes the true believer to develop a determined mindset to conform to the Holy Bible, regardless of where their flesh might attempt to lead them. Their relationship with the Lord begins and ends with complete trust in Him. But for the legalist, the fear of Satan and his suggestions, as well as pride in their own opinion, and reliance in the flesh, causes an undue need for them to control themselves -when they don’t have that ability outside of Christ, and control others -which they have neither the right nor ability to do. And for the liberalist, fear of certain, impending judgment, a desire to be like the world, and pride in their own opinion causes them to embrace an impotent, watered-down religion that appears to appease the conscience. Whichever way we may be inclined to lean, we have to be careful not try to press people into the mold of our opinion. We’ll ultimately be judged by God, not man’s interpretation of who God is (Jer 29:12,13; Mt 7:7, 21; 2Co 5:10; Gal 6:7, 8; 2Ti 3:16). The ‘law’ means different things, depending on context, in the Bible. In a broad sense, the law is the entire Word of God, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. In a more narrow sense, the law is the Mosaic and Levitical law of the Old Testament. There’s much dispute over what parts apply to New Testament worshippers. There are parts of the New Testament that explicitly echo those of the Old Testament, and others negate the necessity of strict adherence in favor of the general law to love. My advice is to be led by the Holy Bible and the Holy Spirit, and understand the difference between Spirit given revelations intended for all believers, Spirit given revelations intended for your congregation, and Sprit given revelations intended for yourself. Preachers especially, not everything the Lord gives you is intended for the body, as passionately as you may feel about them. We don’t have to fast every time the Lord leads you to. What the Lord gives you to act on is no less relevant if no one else is with you. Some journeys are intended for just you and God. The desire to have validation from man is also the cause of so many disputes. Really, what other co-sign do you need that the Lord’s? The truth (of God’s word or your personal revelation) stands on its own. The Bible warns us against being divisive and quarrelling about disputable matters (Ro 14:1; Tit 3:9-11). God made us all individuals, with individual opinions, preferences, experiences, gifts, etc. who are intended to be -and can only be- united through Him (1Co 1:10; 12:12-27; Gal 3:26-29; Eph 4:1-6).

Lawful Judgement

On the subject of judgment, I’m sure you’ve heard -like I’ve heard- Matthew 7:1 quoted countless times (“Judge not, that ye be not judged”), often a misuse of the Word out of a fear of conviction (Jn 3:20).  Personally, I’ve always despised the ‘everything’s alright’ attitude, and viewed the lack of accountability associated with it as cowardly.  Of course, the hypocrisy in scolding someone for what is viewed as judgment is that the person scolding is an act of judgment. Also, forming a positive opinion -if misappropriated- is just as judgmental as forming a negative opinion (Isa 5:20-21).  It can be just as damaging.  Surely, hypocritical, perverse judgment and acting in fear is contrary to everything the Bible teaches us. 

The Bible tells us, in fact, that this God-breathed word is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness (2 Ti 3:16; Lk 6:45).  Let’s be clear:  Speaking God’s word, in a spirit of love, with the purpose of teaching rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness is not judgment on the part of the one speaking.  If there be any judgment made after the Word is spoken, then it’s by the Word, not the person speajking the Word.  The individual chooses to make biblical scripture either a cornerstone or stumbling block (1 Pe 2:7-8).    

Understanding leads to discernment, which is a form of judgment. 

understand - (trans. v.) 1.a. to grasp the meaning of  b. to be thoroughly familiar with the character and the propensities of  2. to accept as a fact or truth or to regard as plausible without utter certainty

discern - (v.) to separate, distinguish between  (trans. v.) 2. to recognize or identify as separate and distinct; discriminate <discern right from wrong> :  to see or understand the difference

judge – (trans. v.) 1. to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing premises  2. to sit in judgment on; try  4. govern, rule – used of a Hebrew tribal leader  5. to form an estimate or evaluation of; especially to form a negative opinion about  8. to hold as an opinion

We see in scripture that God wants us to have understanding and discernment (1Jn 4:1).  God places the importance of godly wisdom and understanding so high that we’re to obtain it, even if it costs us everything! (Pr 4:7; 3:5-6; 2:6)  Solomon was commended and rewarded for asking for a discerning heart for the purpose of leading God’s people correctly (1Ki 3:9-15; Kings, leaders, and judges are synonymous.  In this context of leadership -which all Christians are, in one way or another- the first, second, and fourth definitions of the word ‘judge’ apply.)  The entire book of Proverbs is basically God’s plea to the individual to gain knowledge, understanding, discernment, wisdom, and good judgment (Pr 1:5; 8:9; 10:13; 14:6).  It’s for us to understand what’s right, just and fair (Pr 2:9; Ro 12:2).  Without it, there is no sanctification for the believer, hope for the sinner, or glorification to our Master.  Without this understanding how can we be good stewards over the things God has entrusted to us:  jobs, children, money, and our very lives?  Jesus even gives us one basis for excommunication in Matthew 18:15-20, which is , no doubt, be an act of judgement.  How can we be the light to a dying world if we don’t distinguish right from wrong as scripture itself does? 

So, what does it mean when Jesus tells us not to judge? Verse 1 in Matthew chapter seven is the first in a lesson by Jesus on judgment that numbers to verse 6.  Unfortunately though, verse 1 is often used out of context, so the meaning is lost.  He goes on to explain that one can’t judge properly, wisely, or fairly if they are judging hypocritically.  You know?  Get right, so you can see right.  True indeed, no one's perfect, but a repentant, spiritually mature individual who has a heart to do things God’s way (according to the Word) is equipped to make sound judgment.     

(Suggested reading:  ‘Is It Right to Judge?’ by:  James L. Melton at www.biblebelievers.com/jmelton/Judging.html)

Hypocrisy

I think the word is thrown around far too often.  But that’s my opinion.  To be sure we know of what we speak of, let’s first define what is, so we know what isn’t.

Hypocrisy- 1. feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not; especially: the false assumption of an appearance of virtue or religion (m-w.com).

Hypocrite- 1. a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion  2. a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings (m-w.com).

Jesus identifies those who:

• make an show of their acts of goodness, doing so for their own glory, hypocrites because one's who in service to God will do so for His glory (Mt 6:2, 5, 16; Lk 6:42; Mt 23:5-7). 
• ignore their own blindingly obvious sin, but attempts to point out another’s sin hypocrites (Mt 7:5). 
• honor the Lord with their lips, but hearts are far from him hypocrites, as well as those who merely adhere to religious practices instead of seeking a genuine relationship with him (Mt 7:5).
• ask questions only to entrap and provoke, instead of asking them out of a sincere desire to learn the truth hypocrites (Mt 22:18).
• (in Mt 23) don’t practice what they preach (v.3), burden people with religion (v.4, 15) choose to observe only part of God’s word (v. 23), are more concerned with how they appear than how they are (v. 25-28), and persecute -and even put to death- those who speak the truth and are righteous (v. 29-36) hypocrites.
• interpret ‘signs’ hypocrites (Mt 24:51).
• routinely disobeyed the law, but criticized him for seemingly doing the same hypocrites (Lk 13:15).

Jesus also identifies hypocrisy as something we need to be on guard for and rid ourselves of -if found; it’s an evil corruption that works its way through and permeates like yeast (Lk 12:1; 1 Pe 2:1).  Like David, we shouldn’t consort with hypocrites because bad company corrupts good character (Ps 26:4; 1 Co 15:33).  And the Lord lets us know explicitly that there’s a place set aside for hypocrites (Mt 24:51). 

Although the dictionary also defines hypocrisy as a mere act of hypocrisy, based on scripture we see that it is more an attribute or feature that makes up and distinguishes an individual. In other words it’s based in a person’s character.  Hypocrisy is seen as being a main or central part of their nature in scripture (m-w.com).  For us to call someone a hypocrite is a serious accusation.  (Remember, to accuse is to exhibit a character trait of Satan; Rev 12:10.)  But Jesus Christ, the Word himself, was more than justified.  Coming from him, it was not an accusation, but a judgment.

And lest you get beside yourselves unbelievers, those who have a false virtue or religion may be called hypocrites. But the Bible calls people who have no religion

…other things.