"Getting Along - Up & Out"
1Thess.5:12-28 March 6, 2005
Game Over: Refusal to Play Along Deadly
Refusing to co-operate can really bog things down. Sometimes people just won't "get along", but it can have far-reaching consequences. There's no give-and-take, no negotiating, no willingness to meet the other person halfway. Instead we dig in our heels and demand what we want.
A recent cartoon in The Citizen captured the grimness of a particular unresolved employment stalemate. IA Nespolon's drawing showed a hospital operating room; on the bed to the left, a pair of feet protrude from under a sheet. One foot's wearing a skate, the other a large tag - "NHL". Gloves, syringes, medications are scattered on the counter as if the whole place has been abandoned. A resuscitation procedure guide is on the wall, heart-zapper has been used, and the monitor that once indicated a beating heart is now showing a straight line.
This is un-Canadian! I can't remember a season completely without professional hockey. I'm not a major hockey fan, but did enjoy watching the occasional Stanley Cup play-off. What went wrong?
The editorial in the same paper states, "The team owners have made it clear they'll even cancel a season rather than go on losing money in order to pay exorbitant salaries to the stars...If the teams are to be businesslike to survive, things had to change."
Ah well, I suppose the world will keep on turning with or without NHL hockey. But the cartoon does highlight the importance of getting along. Relationships suffer when we insist on our own way, when we're always "playing hardball" (to switch sports metaphors), when we adopt a confrontational stance, unwilling to budge an inch. The world's wisdom in our competitive market economy is to stick up for your own interests and try to get the advantage over the next fellow. When we don't get what we want, we gang up and try to use the power of numbers to impress our opposition (for example, the dozens of busloads of farmers going to Queen's Park: helps is warranted for the farmers, but intimidation isn't necessarily the answer). Meanwhile across the border, ranchers in Montana obtained a judge's injunction to keep the border closed against our "dangerous" Canadian beef -- prolonging our own industry's agony.
The Bible teaches that we should "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (1Th 5:15) Yet that's backwards to how a lot of the world works. One commentator observes, "This doctrine was subversive of the practice of the whole world." Having such a helpful attitude might seem naive to some, setting oneself up to be milked and taken advantage of. It's hard enough just to be kind to people we like. How can we learn to be kind to everybody, not vengeful, without rapidly becoming drained?
It Starts with God's Grace
Loving unconditionally, in particular loving our enemies or those who either cheat or drain us, is very difficult, if not humanly impossible. We need an offsetting source to fill us up before we can be continuously kind and helpful to others. There is a source for such love, such goodness, but not on the human plane. It's God's grace alone that can outfit us for such an ability.
Paul ends his first letter to the church at Thessalonica with a greeting that becomes pretty standard for him. V28 says, "The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you." That, the grace of Jesus, is the eternal PLUS that alone can make up for all the "minuses" of those we meet who would make some claim on us. Grace is unmerited favour, God's Resources At Christ's Expense, sheer undeserved love poured out at the cross for me, an unworthy former prisoner of sin, otherwise destined for hell, with absolutely no convincing claim as to why an absolutely holy God should give me a second thought. But because Jesus' blood was poured out, just like the Old Testament sacrificial animal's blood was sprinkled on the altar and the Place of Atonement, my worst sins can be forgiven. God delights to establish a relationship with me and make me His dear son when I totally accept and put my trust in what Jesus was doing for me 2000 years ago. "The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ BE WITH you."
It's our daily spiritual walk with God by the Holy Spirit that injects this grace into my life whenever it's needed. So the apostle counsels in vv16-18, "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Th 5:16-18) Did you catch that last part? What God wants for us who believe - what His will is, His intended plan - is that we be constantly joyful, thankful, and communicating with Him through prayer, in all circumstances. The Father's not a miser, or grinch, or Scrooge - He wants us to be thankful and rejoicing. How's that possible? Through praying - being always in touch with His voice and perspective, and trust - seeing our problems through the lens of His purpose and possibilities. We believe Romans 8:28, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." There's a broader scope to my problems than what I'm seeing right now up close. James (1:2) could even tell his readers to "consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds" - because the bad stuff produces perseverance, hope, and character in our lives. When we accept it from God's hand rather than react rancidly with bitterness.
"In everything give thanks..." It's common for people not to seem very thankful. Ingratitude in our lives leads us to expect things as "coming to us", so we forget to give God thanks for His mercies. Many years ago, a boat was wrecked in a storm on Lake Michigan at Evanston, Illinois. Students from Northwestern University formed themselves into rescue teams. One student, Edward Spencer, saved 17 people from the sinking ship. When he was carried exhausted to his room, he asked, "Did I do my best? Do you think I did my best?"
Years later, RA Torrey was talking about this incident at a meeting in Los Angeles, and a man in the audience called out that Edward Spencer happened to be there in the audience. Dr Torrey invited Spencer to the platform. An old man with white hair slowly climbed the steps as the applause rang. Dr Torrey asked Spencer if anything in particular stood out in his memory. He replied, "Only this, sir: of the 17 people I saved, not one of them thanked me."
Cultivate an attitude of gratitude: arrow your prayers heavenward in thanks for simple things, thanks even in your difficulties for the Holy Spirit's strength that will see you through.
Other admonishments in this passage emphasize our relationship to God. V22 teaches that we need to hold on to the good and avoid every kind, every form, of evil. Turn away from it, in preference to what's pleasing to the Lord. And note the promise that follows (23f): God Himself, the God of peace, will sanctify us "through and through", and keep us blameless until Christ comes. Not just peace - wellness, shalom - but a refining holy influence will flow into our lives, from God's very being, God Himself. Paul adds, "The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." We can count on Him because He's given us His solemn promise through the covenant in Jesus' blood. He's faithful, trustworthy. It's important not just to believe THAT God exists (the demons do as much - Jas 2:19) but to actually put our trust totally IN Him, to rely on Him, to actively follow His leading each step in our daily lives.
Grace is the most distinctive feature of Christianity as a religion. Other belief systems have laws and rules, but Christianity is unique in Jesus' self-giving to ransom us from the punishment we deserved. That grace in turn is what empower us to love others. An old native person, after living many years in sin, was led to Christ by a missionary. Friends asked him to explain the change in his life. Reaching down, he picked up a little worm and placed it on a pile of leaves. Then, touching a match to the leaves, he watched them smoulder and burst into flames. As the flames worked their way up to the centre where the worm lay, the old chief suddenly plunged his hand into the centre of the burning pile and snatched out the worm. Holding the worm gently in his hand, he gave this testimony to the grace of God: he said simply, "Me...that worm!"
Flows through the Leaders
If this subversive Christian lifestyle starts by receiving its power from God's own Holy Spirit, that strength flows also through the orderly authority structures of church, marriage, and family. Paul spends a couple of verses focussing on the attitude believers should have toward their leaders in the church. VV12-13 ask us "to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.Live in peace with each other." This would refer back in those times to presbyters/elders, bishops, and deacons - anyone charged with the responsibility of superintending a local church. We're to RESPECT those who are appointed to care for our spiritual welfare; we're to hold them "in the highest regard in love". It's not just assumed, but stated that this is grounded in these persons doing their job; they're to be working hard, admonishing the flock - literally "putting sense into the heads" of people. You can see the teaching role of an elder / pastor emphasized here; admonishment, warning, or exhortation needs to be based on truth to be authoritative. That takes study, reflection, and application. I would not be worthy of your respect if I slacked off, or let sermon prep time slide, or was never available for a consultation or visit.
Incidentally, on the recent Natural Church Development survey, the one statement out of 81 most strongly agreed with was: "Our pastor is a spiritual example to me." That humbles me, and at the same time challenges me to be an even better example to you, my flock. Thank you for your confidence in me, and please keep praying for me. I hope it doesn't mean I've been doing such a good job of pretending that I've succeeded in pulling the wool over the sheep's eyes! (baaaad pun)
Note what follows when believers respect their leaders and hold them in high regard - end of v13: "Live in peace with each other." It's a joy to work with people who are co-operative and eager to follow directions. When people are stubborn and contrary and critical, though, it's a real pain; factions start, and the church's energy gets dissipated in disputes. Let's not go there! Instead, as Hebrews 13(17) instructs (and this goes for elders as well as pastors), "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority.They keep watch over you as men who must give an account.Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." That's partly why, when Rick Warren and Saddleback Church were developing the membership covenant that we now use, they included this as the very first commitment: "I will protect the unity of my church: by acting in love toward other members; by refusing to gossip; by following the leaders." This isn't about power tripping or getting to tell others what to do, but agreeing together and submitting our wills to get behind moving in a common direction in which God seems to be leading. No leaders will ever be perfect - especially not me! (My family knows me too well!) But we trust that the Lord can guide our elders and pastoral staff, despite their weakness, in the path that's best for the collective flock - provided they don't neglect their own spiritual disciplines of being in the Word, and prayer. There we find the guidelines with reference to which we will be required to "give an account".
Paul touches on this from a different angle in vv19-20: "Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt." Prophecy, forth-telling, speaking to others "for their strengthening, encouraging, and comfort," was an important source of leadership and direction in the early church. Prophets were ranked ahead of teachers and administrators in Paul's list in 1Cor 12(28). We need to listen to those with true prophetic insights and God-inspired dreams, not scoff at them or discount them. That would be to "quench" or extinguish the Spirit's flame.
It's important for every believer to be accountable to someone, so you have a spiritual "umbrella". God has given us families and the husband-wife relationship to practice submission and learn to show respect and high regard. Submission isn't about lording-over, but marshalling my resources for another's benefit. It's a high calling to be a leader in the church, as these men need to be examples to everybody within the congregation and worthy of trust. Some evaluative questions to search our soul: What's my own submission / support scale? If I want others (such as my children) to obey me, how obedient am I being to my elder, my pastor, my husband, etc? In the responsibilities entrusted to me, are others sensing my servant-leadership for the good of all, or am I being autocratic and intent on getting my own way? Do I throw my weight around and 'pull rank', or do others feel heard and respected even when they disagree with me? There is a hierarchy in the church and home, not because God is patriarchal or power-hungry, but so the system can work together in a unified direction in an efficient and orderly manner. The enemy loves to sow dissension because then the mission becomes hobbled.
Remember at 1:00, the CBC radio would broadcast the National Research Council's official time second - beginning of the long dash following ten seconds of silence, etc.? That gave us a national standard, a common reference point, so we could "get along" in some sense. A leader is like a radio station's clock. That clock is actually much more important than our own watches because we set our watches by the radio station's clock. So, too, with the character of a leader -- he sets the pace for our own standards of conduct.
Touches Those I Encounter
Grace originates in the loving sacrifice of Jesus for a lost world. It pours into our lives by our submission to Him as Lord - a submission worked out in our dealings with other Christians, including our church leaders. That grace is then available to help us care for others we meet and touch their lives with Jesus' surrogate hands, to speak His encouragement with our own lips.
In v14 Paul touches quickly on four categories of individuals with whom we have to do. He says, "Warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone." First is warning the idle. Paul wasn't at all sympathetic to those who were able to be productive but chose not to be. An "idle" person is a loafer, a scammer, someone who looks for any excuse to get out of exerting themselves the first chance they can get. The lexicon notes the word was "used in Greek society for those who did not show up for work." Some new believers may even have used the imminence of Christ's return as an excuse to quit their day jobs and sit around (sponging off their fellow-believers, of course) waiting for Jesus to come. Paul says they're to be warned, "put sense into their heads".
We're also to "encourage the timid": to console or cheer on the faint-hearted, those tempted to give up and quit. We all know people who seem to have more than their share of problems, or who've had to cope with more challenges or disadvantages growing up, and seem like they're struggling to cope. Get behind them with encouraging words. A little card, or phone call, or email - just to know someone's thinking of you and praying for you - can make such a difference. Especially if they've gone through a struggle such as you're facing.
Paul commands us to "help the weak": to support them, hold firmly to those who are almost strength-less. Here is pure Christianity in action. James (1:27) characterizes looking after orphans and widows in their distress as "religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless." Not much bad other people can say about it either. Helping the weak is a concept that is particularly subversive in the ways of the world: anti-Darwinism, anti-"survival of the fittest". Ernst Zundel has been extradited and is now imprisoned in Germany for spreading anti-Semitic misinformation and hate. The sick and weak were destined for Nazi furnaces during the second World War, while Hitler profited from the coffers of them and the Jews. Pious believers like Corrie Ten Boom's family in Holland responded by offering refuge to the downtrodden. Who are we helping that's weak in today's society?
"Be patient with everyone." Gee, that's a broad statement. It's difficult in a society that trains us to demand "instant" this, "high-speed" that. Be longsuffering, long-fused, "put up with much". That takes grace - especially when you rush out the door to drive your wife to a meeting for which she's late and someone dropping off a parcel to your neighbour parks right in front of your driveway, so you can't get by...Am I speaking from experience? And I discovered trying to squeeze by didn't work - I just had to sit and wait.
Probably the hardest one of all is in v15: "Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." Pay-back or revenge is the theme of many a movie, the motive of many a crime. It's inbred within us to want to "get even". Yet Paul forbids it -- doesn't matter whether it's a Christian or just someone off the street. "Do not repay anyone evil for evil...Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord." (Rom 12:17,19) Our Lord Jesus also clearly warned against retaliation in the Sermon on the Mount: "eye for eye" is Old Covenant, not New (Mt 5:38f). It's a standard we can only keep with God's help.
Few things demonstrate genuine Christlikeness better than being kind to those who aren't kind to us. William McKinley was President of the United States around 1900 (1897-1901). During one of his campaigns, a reporter from an opposition newspaper followed him constantly, and just as persistently misrepresented McKinley's views. Eventually during this campaign, the weather became extremely cold, and even though the reporter didn't have sufficiently warm clothing, he still followed McKinley. One bitter evening, the president-to-be was riding in his closed carriage, and the young reporter sat shivering on the driver's seat outside. McKinley stopped the carriage and invited the reporter to put on his coat and ride with him inside the warm carriage. The young man, astonished, protested that McKinley knew that he was opposition and that he wasn't going to stop opposing McKinley during the campaign. McKinley knew that, but he wasn't out to seek revenge. In the remaining days of the campaign, the reporter continued to oppose McKinley, but never again did he write anything unfair or biased about the future president.
Gracious Me!
Jesus became poor, so that in Him, we might become rich (2Cor 8:9) - that's the essence of grace. It costs the Giver.
An elderly woman was standing in the checkout line, ready to pay for her merchandise: a quart of milk and a loaf of bread. She opened her purse. No money was there; neither was her chequebook. As she was about to ask the cashier to put her things back, suddenly a gentle voice said, "It looks like that is your lunch." A gentleman was standing right behind her, smiling. "Don't worry, he continued, "today I want to treat you.Take your things with you." Then the man paid for her merchandise and his own.
A week passed by, and the woman came back to the store. The woman whose job it was to help pack the bags knew about the incident and recognized her. She approached the woman and whispered, "Ma'am, maybe you'd be interested to know.That gentleman's check - it bounced!"
May the Lord help us each dispense REAL grace - not the bouncey kind - to those He wants to touch through us this week. Let's pray.