Sensible
SENSIBLE
Living alone one can think they are the most humble, respectable and considerate Christian that is currently living. Couple that with a person who is theologically factual and you have some great ingredients for a very pietistic and pugnacious person. This attitude is particularly true if that person works a goodly portion of their time around people who are more uncouth than themselves. This is one reason why the church is so important. Like a good smelter who brings all the dross to the top to be scrapped away and discarded, so the faithful members of the church are there to call a brother/sister to repentance or wisdom and thus discard any behavior that is weakening to the life of the individual and ultimately damaging to the gospel. I’ve been reading Titus lately and I’ve noticed that Paul spends all of chapter two talking about being sensible. Displaying good, sound, wise judgment is encouraged and expected from old men and women to young men and women. No one is left out. This is something that we obviously grow in throughout our lives, but the bible makes it clear that God uses means to accomplish this end, and it is clear that one of those means is the local church just read Titus and you will see admonishment being expected by those in the local church. The church is an integral factor in developing this sensible behavior that God sees as necessary to adequately display the Christian life. The behavior doesn’t have to be necessarily sinful, but just unwise. This is important to remember because the theologically factual guy will state that the behavior isn’t ‘technically’ wrong, and he will most likely be correct, yet the behavior or attitude may not be wise and still be ‘technically’ lawful. And sin and or immaturity are insidious. It creeps along and infects all other areas of life and doesn’t remain compartmentalized within one area of life.
I was thinking about bathroom humor and realized that it really isn’t that funny. Watch the movie Shrek and you will see what I mean. Then I think of Leslie Nelson and he is funny when he appeals to bathroom humor (with the whoopee cushions and what-not). Well it’s funny to me. And I think this way only because here is a man who is old enough to know better. He ought to be wiser than this yet he shows himself as immature and the paradox is laughable . . . to a point. Now fast forward 30 years from now and the entire culture has lost this older-folks-don’t-laugh-at-bathroom-humor mentality and we might have more people taking the stairs and less standing in line for the elevator. You know with the free expression on flatulence in the public sector.
The concept that “he is older to know better”; at what point did he put down the G.I. Joes and Hotwheels and begin to act older? There is a transition here that really to me is unperceivable. I know there was a time when I stopped playing with these toys but I couldn’t give you a date, but I could tell you that if I saw a 20 year old playing with them (and not entertaining his sibling) then I would encourage him to grow up. And although he could technically play with them it isn’t very wise. And isn’t that the direction that we desire to go? We not only want to be technically right but attain the discernment to use our freedom in a way that communicates wisdom and respect. Is not the complete lack of maturity one criticism of the current evangelical movement? Isn’t the rules against dancing a criticism of “conservative” churches? And isn’t the rampant flag waving of “Christian liberty” a criticism of current Reformed churches? Maybe that last one is a tempest in a teapot kind of debate.
I thank God for the local church that I am a part of because as my faults and imperfections manifest themselves there are several concerned brothers and sisters who are interested not only in my sanctification but are also concerned that the gospel be displayed in accordance with the word of God.
Living alone one can think they are the most humble, respectable and considerate Christian that is currently living. Couple that with a person who is theologically factual and you have some great ingredients for a very pietistic and pugnacious person. This attitude is particularly true if that person works a goodly portion of their time around people who are more uncouth than themselves. This is one reason why the church is so important. Like a good smelter who brings all the dross to the top to be scrapped away and discarded, so the faithful members of the church are there to call a brother/sister to repentance or wisdom and thus discard any behavior that is weakening to the life of the individual and ultimately damaging to the gospel. I’ve been reading Titus lately and I’ve noticed that Paul spends all of chapter two talking about being sensible. Displaying good, sound, wise judgment is encouraged and expected from old men and women to young men and women. No one is left out. This is something that we obviously grow in throughout our lives, but the bible makes it clear that God uses means to accomplish this end, and it is clear that one of those means is the local church just read Titus and you will see admonishment being expected by those in the local church. The church is an integral factor in developing this sensible behavior that God sees as necessary to adequately display the Christian life. The behavior doesn’t have to be necessarily sinful, but just unwise. This is important to remember because the theologically factual guy will state that the behavior isn’t ‘technically’ wrong, and he will most likely be correct, yet the behavior or attitude may not be wise and still be ‘technically’ lawful. And sin and or immaturity are insidious. It creeps along and infects all other areas of life and doesn’t remain compartmentalized within one area of life.
I was thinking about bathroom humor and realized that it really isn’t that funny. Watch the movie Shrek and you will see what I mean. Then I think of Leslie Nelson and he is funny when he appeals to bathroom humor (with the whoopee cushions and what-not). Well it’s funny to me. And I think this way only because here is a man who is old enough to know better. He ought to be wiser than this yet he shows himself as immature and the paradox is laughable . . . to a point. Now fast forward 30 years from now and the entire culture has lost this older-folks-don’t-laugh-at-bathroom-humor mentality and we might have more people taking the stairs and less standing in line for the elevator. You know with the free expression on flatulence in the public sector.
The concept that “he is older to know better”; at what point did he put down the G.I. Joes and Hotwheels and begin to act older? There is a transition here that really to me is unperceivable. I know there was a time when I stopped playing with these toys but I couldn’t give you a date, but I could tell you that if I saw a 20 year old playing with them (and not entertaining his sibling) then I would encourage him to grow up. And although he could technically play with them it isn’t very wise. And isn’t that the direction that we desire to go? We not only want to be technically right but attain the discernment to use our freedom in a way that communicates wisdom and respect. Is not the complete lack of maturity one criticism of the current evangelical movement? Isn’t the rules against dancing a criticism of “conservative” churches? And isn’t the rampant flag waving of “Christian liberty” a criticism of current Reformed churches? Maybe that last one is a tempest in a teapot kind of debate.
I thank God for the local church that I am a part of because as my faults and imperfections manifest themselves there are several concerned brothers and sisters who are interested not only in my sanctification but are also concerned that the gospel be displayed in accordance with the word of God.
posted by T A Lucas | 6/12/2007
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