Then…

Jan 14

Then…

Gradually it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart -- and through all human hearts.

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (1918-1956), The Gulag Archipelago

Question: Is it easier to discern your own sins or the sins of others? Selah…

In the first couple of years of my Christian life, which happened to be at the peak of the Jesus Movement in the late ’60’s, I was intrigued with a manner of bold messaging which wasn’t afraid to confront the sins of the culture and of the church. I saw in the news these young, courageous, long-haired Christian zealots who would demonstrate in malls with body signs saying something like, “Babylon is doomed. Get out while you can.”

I thought maybe one day I would be so bold. Maybe I could be like John the Baptist. Now there’s a prophet - radical, fearless, effective in turning wayward Israel back to God!

Until…

Until the Holy Spirit gently instructed me that I was no John the Baptist, that there was a lot of work that he needed to do in me, and particularly that I was much more like the Pharisees that John was confronting than the great prophet himself.

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

You probably already know the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector - the contrast of the one who prided himself that he was better than others vs. the one who humbly asked for mercy and went away justified.

But look at the introduction where we are told whom he was addressing.

He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt… (Luke 18:9).

That gets me every time I read it. I regularly imagine a group where I sit in a circle and greet the others with, “Hello, my name is Gerrit, and I’m a recovering Pharisee.”

Can you think of an occasion in the last week where you quietly considered yourself superior to someone else, or had a condescending or judgmental attitude toward someone else?

In 2013, the Barna Group did extensive research on whether professing Christians are more like Christ or the Pharisees in attitudes and actions. Those surveyed were asked to respond on a scale of 1 to 4 to twenty statements regarding Christ-like attitudes and actions, and self-righteous attitudes and actions. Here are the results - brace yourself:

“The findings reveal that most self-identified Christians in the U.S. are characterized by having the attitudes and actions researchers identified as Pharisaical. Just over half of the nation’s Christians—using the broadest definition of those who call themselves Christians—qualify for this category (51%). They tend to have attitudes and actions that are characterized by self-righteousness.”

That’s Christians talking about themselves. Other research measuring perceptions held by those outside the Church toward Christians is considerably less flattering. ( I am not saying that all criticism toward the followers of Christ is accurate, but that we self-justify more than we think, and instinctively excuse ourselves without self-examination.)

When to Sound the Alarm

There are certainly times to sound the alarm, to warn of the consequences of misbehavior. Paul, for instance, warned that those who habitually engage in the works of the flesh (which include sexual sins, idolatry, drunkenness, dissensions, divisions and rivalries) will not inherit the kingdom of God (Gal. 5:19-21). I would say that’s sounding an alarm!

And Jeremiah spoke very plainly (23:16-22) that those who truly stand in God’s counsel would be given words to turn his people away from their evil deeds.

So it’s not out of character for God to send words of correction and warning to the disobedient. And he may even use us to bring those corrective words. But when? When do we warn? When do we confront?

The answer is found in the key word in Psalm 51:13 - “Then.”

Then…

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

That “then” follows the first twelve verses of Psalm 51 where David is getting really serious with God about his own sin.

“Have mercy on me,” “blot out my transgressions,” “wash me thoroughly from iniquity,” “cleanse me from my sin,” “I know my transgressions,” “I have done what is evil,” “purge me,” “create a clean heart in me,” and “renew a right spirit within me.”

“Then”… and only then, are we prepared to help the wayward amend their lives. And before “then,” they will likely get the feeling you’re coming to them with a sense of superiority and condescension to straighten them out.

The first of Luther’s 95 Theses was about repentance: “When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, 'Repent,' he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.” Repentance is not something you do once at conversion; it is a manner of life for a lifetime.

Those who walk closely with the Holy Spirit know that where he is, there is conviction of sin (John 16:8). Thus, close fellowship with God includes regular confession of sin and earnest prayers for mercy. “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

I am convinced that we need more truth telling in our relationships. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:6). But along with courage to confront, we must have words tempered with the knowledge that our need for grace is just as great as theirs. Then we will be wounded healers.

If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. (Gal. 6:1)

What Would It Take

So, what would it take for the watching world to feel comfortable in engaging in honest conversations with us? I’m guessing it would more likely happen if they sensed that we didn’t assume that we’re right and they’re wrong, that we had genuine respect for them as fellow human beings, and that we were willing to listen to them before we tried to instruct them.

Many of them might cautiously acknowledge their own fallenness if they sensed we were aware of ours.

Lord, have mercy on us first… “then” we can help others find that same mercy in their time of need.

Then…

Then…

Kingdom Leaven

Gather the Scattered