Avoiding Spiritual Extremes

 

There’s a Hebrew proverb that goes like this:

“Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:26-27)

Why not swerve to the left or to the right? It has nothing to do with politics, its because there’s a ditch on both sides of the path and either one will ultimately lead to “evil”.  Joshua 1:7 also tells us to not turn to the right nor the left but stick with the path that the Scriptures prescribe.

When one reads the Bible in its wholeness, we see a principle of avoiding spiritual extremes or “ditches”.  On the one extreme there is legalism, repression and self-righteous morality; on the other side of the spectrum is lust, indulgence and reckless disobedience. Think of the Galatians on one side and the Corinthians on the other. Both extremes are unhealthy and unhelpful. Both lead to evil. 

We also see these two extremes when we read the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which should really be called the Parable of the Two Sons. 

We are probably familiar with the “prodigal” son who insults his loving father by demanding his inheritance early and then spending it all on sinful living. He later comes back in utter humility and repentance to the arms of his forgiving father.

But what about the other son? The older brother who stayed behind faithfully and worked his father’s land? He turns out to be no better than the prodigal but in the opposite extreme. He refuses to forgive his younger brother and becomes angry at his father for showing such grace to him. This brother’s heart was proud, but the father also comes out to the him in grace and love to try and soften his heart.

While the younger brother fell into what we might call the “left ditch” ( or the Corinthian side), the older brother fell into the “right ditch” (or the Galatian side). 

So, what is the proper path between the left and right excesses? What is the narrow way between self-righteous morality and reckless disobedience?  It is walking in God’s grace. The same grace exemplified by the father in the parable (who represented God).

Grace* is the via media between the extremes of the two sons. 

In three places, Scripture tells us that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (Proverbs 3:34, James 4:6 1 Peter 5:5) 

We see then that humility makes way for grace and the avoidance of these two spiritual extremes. But pride loves extremes, doesn’t it? It loves to pry us from the path of Jesus’ grace.

Whether it’s the arrogance of the younger son, or the haughtiness of the older son, let’s make no mistake, this type of prideful extremism is not honouring to God.

Let’s also be clear that walking in grace is not a compromise of our beliefs: it is, instead, the fullest and most beautiful expression of our beliefs. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ and we must walk in his way.

Here is a personal confession: I am an extreme type of person. Like the pendulum on a clock, my tendency is to swing to the extremes, rarely resting in the middle. For me, usually it’s the “right ditch” I fall into, but not always.

I often pray that the Lord would keep me from extremes; that He would help me “ponder my path”. Join me in praying that He would deliver us from all forms of pride and lead us in the way of grace.

* Grace is God's unmerited favour towards us. It is receiving something we did not deserve and could never earn. 

“The redeeming work of Christ and the righteousness He won for us, equally with the work of the Spirit in us and the power of the new life He brings, are spoken of as “grace”.  Andrew Murray

Gentle Men: Why Gentleness Makes Us Masculine

“I am gentle and lowly in heart.” Jesus Christ

While the term ‘gentleman’ has historically referred more to being well-bred then well-mannered, today we often see it as a compliment of a man’s character. Indeed, as far back as 1714, Sir Richard Steele wrote, 

“The appellation of Gentleman is never to be affixed to a man’s circumstances, but to his Behaviour in them.” 

However you define gentleman, the Bible makes it clear that gentleness is one of the greatest attributes of a man (or anyone, for that matter). Some men might misunderstand the term and balk at ‘gentleness’ being used to describe them. 

But, Gavin Ortlund, one of my favourite theologians, defines gentleness this way, 

"Gentleness is not weakness: it is strength under control."

As men, we are to protect the weak and vulnerable and treat them with gentleness. As men, we are protected by God and treated with gentleness, because in his presence we are the weak and vulnerable ones. Even the Apostle Paul was compelled to say that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). 

As I get older, I am more and more convinced that the voice of God to us is gentle and kind. The still small voice spoken to Elijah can also be translated as a “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:11-13). Charles Spurgeon once preached that, “Softly and gently works the Holy Spirit.” So then, our voice and actions to others must also be gentle and kind. 

If we need more Scriptural proof that men are called to be gentle as well as strong, let us consider these passages:

> Jesus Himself, the God-man, describes his own heart (the very centre of who he is) as gentle and lowly (Matthew 11:29, 2 Corinthians 10:1).

> One of the nine fruits of the Spirit is gentleness (Galatians 5:23).

> Paul taught believers everywhere to be gentle (Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:12, Titus 3:2). 

> Paul describes how the Apostles treated the Thessalonians as an exhorting and encouraging father as well as a gentle “nursing mother” (1 Thessalonians 2:7, 11-12). 

> A qualification for a church leader (Bishop, Elder etc.) is gentleness (1 Timothy 2:7).

> One of the characteristics that a ‘man of God’ should pursue is gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11)

> The wisdom from above is gentle (James 3:17).

We also learn that gentleness is required when:

> Attempting to restore a brother or sister to the faith (Galatians 6:1)

> Sharing the gospel or defending the faith with reverence (1 Peter 3:15).

> Correcting an opponent with the hope of leading him to repentance (although a sharp rebuke is sometimes necessary as well - 1 Timothy 2:25, Titus 1:3)

Gentleness is prescribed throughout the Bible including these two proverbs:

“A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

“Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.” Proverbs 25:15

The Lord is calling us to be not just gentlemen but gentle men; to use our strength for good. May we pursue this virtue so that we can say with King David, 

“You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great.” Psalm 18:35

Healing What's Within (Book Recommendation)

“Healing What’s Within: Coming Home to Yourself--and to God--When You're Wounded, Weary, and Wandering”

I want to take a moment to seriously recommend this book to any friends and family who might be interested. It was written by a psychologist who is also a pastor. Here’s a bit from the back of the book:

“So many of us carry a weight of buried pain. We may appear strong and resilient, but inside a storm brews from all the ways we’ve been hurt or harmed. Little by little, we become disconnected from who we truly are, learning to cope, to numb and suppress the ache within to keep us from suffering… (but) it’s never too late to start healing. God’s heart is always ready to help you find your way home.” 

A few things to mention:  

This is coming from a Christian perspective but I think it could be a remarkable guide to all people. 

Some of my more conservative friends might find a few parts that they think are “flaky”. I did too at first but I want to tell you this book really helped me. If it helps, view this book as a watermelon – if necessary, spit out some seeds but take advantage of all the remaining good fruit!

As I read through this book, I was constantly hit with new thoughts about a person's healing journey. I would even say that there were some personal epiphanies that have really benefitted my emotional and spiritual health.  

Consider, as the new year approaches, if this is a book that could help you “heal what’s within”. 

Purchase the book here.

Preview the book here.

“The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts.” Proverbs 20:27

Grace, Sanctification & Vacuum Cleaners

 

Grace is like electricity. This is what a good friend reminded me of lately when he compared a Christian life to a vacuum cleaner. Let me explain.

The Christian’s justification occurs when we are initially “born again” and become a part of the family of God. The Christian’s sanctification occurs over the course of our lives after conversion, as we seek to obey Jesus and become more like him. 

Justification is entirely by God’s grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), whereas sanctification can be trickier as it seems to be a mix of grace and effort (Ephesians 2:10). Personally, I've always had a difficult time balancing grace and effort in my sanctification process. This little analogy has helped though. 

So how does grace work in our sanctification (or journey towards Christ-likeness)? 

This is where the vacuum cleaner analogy comes in. My friend shared that a vacuum is useless unless it is plugged into an energy source; and, likewise, Christians have no power unless they are plugged into (or “connected with”) Jesus Christ. Furthermore, what gives power to the vacuum is electricity – just as the power imbued to us through Christ is called grace. 

Jesus himself said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

That does not mean that effort on our part is unnecessary though. Like the vacuum that sits there with no one to push it, it cannot accomplish that which it was made for.  As Dallas Willard put it, 

“Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning. Earning is an attitude. Effort is an action.”

Paul also said, "...I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me." 1 Corinthians 15:10

However, we can expend a lot of effort to push a vacuum cleaner around the entire house but it will accomplish nothing unless it is plugged in: only then can it perform that which it was designed to do.  

Similarly, as Christians, we can put all our strength and effort into becoming more like Jesus and still feel like we are failing. Why? Because only grace can accomplish what we are designed for. 

In the Christian experience, grace without effort will never allow us to reach our full potential or to glorify God as he deserves (I Corinthians 3:10-13). But, ultimately, effort is meaningless without grace. 

I was struck by this recently while reading an interview with a theologian. 

“When I sin, I still often tell God, ‘I’m sorry. *I’ll* do better next time.”, he said. “Of course, that is not a wrong desire…but these days, I’ve changed the prayer: 

‘God, I’m sorry. I’m totally powerless over this. Will *you* give me strength to change?” 

Its true that there is still some mystery about how grace and effort work together in our sanctification; but when I acknowledge that I’m a helpless sinner and truly rely on God’s grace to sanctify my life, that’s when I really plug in to the power source. 

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Cruciform Masculinity

I recently read an article by a young man named Luke Simon entitled, “Why Gen Z Men like Me Are Staying in Church”. 

While he was referring largely to Gen Z males, I (a Gen X man) was struck by his writings on masculinity – especially this idea of a “Cruciform Masculinity”.  

He writes:

“In the church, Gen Z men like me are rejecting the false masculinities offered by the culture and finding an alternative—a cruciform masculinity. In his death, Jesus subverts the ego, dominance, and self-centeredness of toxic masculinity in a divine display of humility, sacrifice, and love. 

But the cross also challenges the soft, aimless version of manhood that avoids responsibility and purpose. Jesus’s example shows us that real manhood embraces responsibility, cultivates strength, and commits to a mission—not to serve oneself but to serve others.

At church, Gen Z men are still being called to sacrifice in a culture that taught them to live for themselves.

At church, we’re called to something higher. True masculinity is rooted in knowing who you are—your identity as a son of God—and in having a mission, a purpose worth giving your life to. 

It’s about taking action and showing agency, knowing you have the power to make a difference in your life, your family, and your community. It’s about leaning into a unique, God-given responsibility, entrusted with power to protect, care for, and defend the vulnerable.”

In a world with many extreme ideas about what it is to be a man – even a Christian man – the notion of “Cruciform Masculinity” may be just what we all need, regardless of our generation. 

Source:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/gen-z-men-church/