Should we instead be out in the world loving others? For one
thing, meditating on the Word day and night is something that we are commanded
to do (Psalm 1:1-3; Deuteronomy 6:4-8; Joshua 1:7-8; Jeremiah 17:5-7). For another
thing, we require instruction on how to love. Consequently, Paul prayed:
·
…asking that you may be filled with the
knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk
in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every
good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:9-10 ESV)
It is Scriptural understanding and wisdom that enable us to “walk
in a manner worthy of the Lord.” However, the role of the Scriptures goes far
deeper, exposing our corrupt motives. This is necessary because, if they are
not exposed, even spiritual “success” seems to inevitably lead to
self-righteousness, and this corrupts everything. Consequently, Jesus exposed
the self-righteousness of the religious leadership:
·
They do all their deeds to be seen by others.
For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, and they love the
place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in
the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others. But you are not to be called
rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your
father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called
instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you
shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever
humbles himself will be exalted. (Matthew 23:5-12)
We naturally love praise, adoration, and the honorific
titles they confer. On some level, I always knew that I craved the approval and
recognition of others. I too had been a Pharisee. However, I wasn’t able to see
it for what it is or to perceive its deadly fruit. I needed Scripture to
objectively point out this inner malady to me with all of its lethal implications.
Even when we are aware of this powerful temptation, it doesn’t suddenly disappear. However, we can face it and even laugh at it. I still have tempting fantasies of the president beckoning me to come to DC to be his religious advisor, but I now know that it is a foolish fleshly fantasy. It’s also something that would make me miserable in the long run.
Even when we are aware of this powerful temptation, it doesn’t suddenly disappear. However, we can face it and even laugh at it. I still have tempting fantasies of the president beckoning me to come to DC to be his religious advisor, but I now know that it is a foolish fleshly fantasy. It’s also something that would make me miserable in the long run.
However, some never recover from the Pharisaic quest to
build their esteem and acclaim. Instead, they need to hear the voice of the
Spirit warning, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles
himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). But how are we to resist the
double-bladed sword of desire and fear? God fortified Joshua with these words
after he took over from Moses:
·
Only be strong and very courageous, being
careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do
not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good
success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do
according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way
prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:7-8)
Joshua would be made strong by meditating on and obeying the
Words of God. This principle has also been central to the Christian life.
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