Staying Away From the Grey
We’re enjoying a beautiful week here. The first day of fall is two weeks from today but our weather has already cooled down, the days seem a bit shorter and Starbucks has started making a seasonal favorite of mine, the pumpkin spice latte. It feels more like fall. The days of wearing shorts and free-time are fading to the past. While the days of office attire and eight-hour days at my desk are here . Thankfully my job has quite a bit of down time right now and I have been taking advantage of it as much as I can to read and write.
This week I started reading a book by John MacArthur called Fool’s Gold: Discerning truth in an age of error. The premise of this book is a call for believers to be discerning in all areas of life between good and evil, truth and lies. MacArthur talks about how a a woman once wrote to him urging him not to be so narrow-minded toward other religions:
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“God doesn’t care what you believe, as long as you’re sincere,” she
wrote, echoing an opinion I have heard many times. “All religions
lead ultimately to the same reality. It doesn’t matter which road
you take to get there, as long as you follow your chosen road
faithfully. Don’t be critical of alternative roads other people choose.”
To those who accept the Bible as God’s Word, the folly of that
thinking should be immediately evident.
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wrote, echoing an opinion I have heard many times. “All religions
lead ultimately to the same reality. It doesn’t matter which road
you take to get there, as long as you follow your chosen road
faithfully. Don’t be critical of alternative roads other people choose.”
To those who accept the Bible as God’s Word, the folly of that
thinking should be immediately evident.
———————————————–
This book is a compilation of writings by MacArthur and seven other men who serve at Grace Community Church. They each address the critical need for discernment as we are exposed to preaching, popular Christian books and ideas, worship, politics and our culture. My thoughts have already been greatly stirred by the first chapter in which MacArthur unleashes Paul’s command in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22
“Test everything; hold fast to what is good.
Abstain from ever form of evil.”
I have found myself very convicted as he urges us to stop judging hypocritically as it warns against in Matthew 7:2-5, but to be diligent to exercise good judgment. I think that I spend far too much time doing the former and trying to call it the latter. Sometimes Christians are so afraid of judging someone that they end up allowing all kind of sin to carry on in the body of believers that a general acceptance, apathy and defensiveness arises. I can really see the need for each believer to be faithful to go their brothers and sisters in Christ and gently confront sin, warn and admonish so that we do not fall into deception and temptation. This should be my way of life, and yet I often shy away in fear of the person’s reaction or sometimes think that they will wonder why I’m coming to them when I am not perfect either. We talk ourselves into grey-area living instead of each boldly proclaiming the truth of God’s Word to one another so that it can penetrate our thoughts and lives and keep us pure and holy before Him.
The second command, “hold fast to what is good,” made me wonder: if we are not faithful to distinguish between good and evil by testing everything, is the good even good to us? MacArthur addressed the eagerness of believers to agree-to-disagree for the sake of unity or put aside hard truths in God’s Word because they may offend some. It seems that we are much more bent on personal experience, preference and not rocking the boat than proclaiming the Truth that has set us free. (John 8:31-32) I hope that I can learn to distinguish the beauty of the “good” in our world of evil. When we find “good” should treasure it.
I’ve always thought that this third command sounds alot simpler than it is to obey, “Abstain from every form of evil.” MacArthur explains this as a clear calling for believers to a radical separation from what is evil. I find that this is where most people, including myself, try to paint grey the evil they encounter. In Romans 16:19 Paul makes a stunning statement
“I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.”
I immediately wondered what Paul mean’s in both cases by “evil.” MacArthur defines evil as anything that is false. This includes any teaching, behavior, influence or thought that is not aligned with the truth. I wanted to know what he meant because it seems to be almost esteemed when even a Christian person is savvy about our culture, knowing all the latest books, movies, music, TV happenings and trends. I find it confusing to read commands like these and then see small group study workbooks directing me to find God in Hollywood’s biggest films. God does not esteem me when I am wise in the ways of evil in the world. In fact 1 John 2 says,
“If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
It is easy to be wise on these matters simply for entertainment and social situations. I used to think that if I was going to be so radical as to not watch any movies, listen to music or read books or magazines that contained unedifying messages in some form or another, what would I watch? The answer is the obvious black-and-white command of 1 Thessalonians, “abstain.” All that to say this book has so far really challenged me to re-think my acceptance of many things and instead to test all things so that I can distinguish with the help of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word the difference between good and evil. I don’t want to be weak, compromising and making allowance for sin in my life, but rather I want to preserve what is “first pure, then peaceable.” James 3:17
September 8th, 2005
“Hold fast to what is good” makes me think of a story I read in 5th grade called “The Cay” about two characters who are stranded on a tropical island. Near the end of the book a hurricane comes and their only option is to tie themselves to the trunk of a palm tree. I think that “holding fast” to something implies clinging to it even through storms and persecutions. But its often easier to talk about something that is “new” or talk about our personal experiences, than to risk being persecuted by proclaiming what the Bible says is good. And the result is like the Athenians in Acts 17, ignorance of what is good. Which is the same question you asked, “If we are not faithful to distinguish between good and evil by testing everything, is the good even good to us?”
I don’t want to be ignorant of the good things God has revealed to us, so thanks for reminding me to hold fast to what is good.
September 9th, 2005
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September 9th, 2005
Thanks Christa for sharing this insight! I have been reading about abiding in God’s Word lately. How valuable it is to know what Scripture says, always having it in your thoughts and reflecting on God’s truth! In this way ARE we able to test and know what is from God.
Obedience to what God requires of us just so transforming that you wonder why we struggle to hold onto things in our life that are not of Him.
p.s. sorry about the deleted comment =)
September 9th, 2005
We have had that book for a couple months now, and Matt has read it. You reminded me that I wanted to read it as well. Guess it will be part of my activities on the 35 hour drive out there.
It will be a good time to read it though because I am about to cautiously embark upon a study that is quite controversial because of the author. I want to read with discernment!
September 9th, 2005
Thanks for the challenging reminders. Tolerance is considered one of the greatest virtues in our culture, yet God’s Word tells us to be intolerant of error and evil. We do want to cling to what is good, and abstain from evil, yet with a spirit of love and compassion, not hypocritical judgement. I appreciate your insights, and am encouraged to read that book!
September 9th, 2005
Sis-
Great post! I loved how you pointed out the difference of being merely judgmental and exercising good judgment.
I also love the new pictures in your photo album!