Establishing My Presuppositions (Cont.)
Why should I have hope? What is my hope? In the secular dictionary hope is defined as a “feeling”. It can be the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best; sometimes it is a particular instance of this feeling or the grounds for this feeling. It might pertain to living or dying, medicine, winning or losing or to replace belief, desire, or trust. The scriptural understanding extends far beyond the feeling ID to that which is best described as something which only God can do. Therefore, my hope is dependent on Him. In expressions such as “Abraham, who is the father of us all, (as it is written, “A father of many nations have I made you”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope he believed”, and in “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it”, or in “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame”... our hope is directed in and through that which God has done. It begins by grace, and continues by His work in me. There are only two reality directions that hope can take: either for self-desires, or for my future in the One who loved me and gave Himself for me. My hope in the future is dependent on Him and He will not fail.
What has real value? The materialist world subscribes to the magazine of “What will you do for me without any work or value extended on my part”. But real value for me is that which, once again, only God can do. The value of God's Son is priceless. The value of His work is priceless. The value of what God is now doing, and will do is priceless. Look up, Oh Sinner, your salvation
draweth nigh. Real value is determined by that which is enduring, and gives glory to God.
For what am I responsible? We may get bogged down with jobs or marriage or physical problems or loneliness. We may undertake some things for which we are unable to complete. My basic responsibility in this world system is NOT that which the world may assign. It is to account for my standing before the Holy One. A right standing indicates responsibility taken and progressing. Jobs, marriage, children, material possessions and health are all subtitles. So is my position in politics and the community.
What is my responsibility to my family, friends and community? I think this is best summed simply by establishing God's desire for His children's conduct in both word and deed. An oft used example is good for the soul when God declares that a father is to provide both discipline and care for his family through love and truth. “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them.But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”. Agape love demands sacrifice!
For what is my church responsible? Why does it exist? A well known theologian puts it this way: 1) To give glory to God, 2) To edify the saints, 3) To evangelize both neighbor and foreign by this motto: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your heart, always being ready to give a defense for the hope that lies within, yet with gentleness and reverence. All good things come from above. Only the believer truly believes this.
For what is government responsible? Why does it exist? There really are three views in the world. The first is that of the one in authority who governs by oppression. The second is that of liberal conscience who, contrary to God's established order, tries to govern with magnanimity but fails because of his own sin. The last is stated by God Himself: “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.”
What is freedom and liberty? The founders of our country expressed themselves in terms of true freedom and liberty in this way: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. -That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” In response to this a war was fought and men died. The securing of freedom and liberty is costly.” Did you catch the phase, 'men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights'? If the Creator initiated the definition of true freedom and liberty, then we must look to Him to further define it: “...know the TRUTH, and the truth shall set you free”. All suppression of the TRUTH is oppression. That is slavery and bondage and cruelty in the name of the one who does the oppressing. And we categorically state that either the Creator is who He claims to be or He is a liar. He who claims truth but denies the Creator is the author of slavery and bondage.
What is tyranny? What is bondage? Tyranny takes away freedom and liberty, both in political processes and in spiritual realms of worship, service and just plain living. It has been pointed out throughout the many years by both philosophers and theologians that all governments progress through stages of more and more bondage of its subjects. Call it doing things their way, or taxation, or corruption or laws that inhibit and limit private property, or for the common good, when tyrants both judge and rule, freedom is lost. Even so, come Lord Jesus.
What are rights and from where do they originate? Since we believe that all rights originate from the Creator, then we must study who He is, and define those rights by His character. Inasmuch as it is written that “For from Him and through Him and to Him are ALL things”, the rights that He established are those which are best for man, and in opposition to those which the adversary works on among men. These are those who “walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience”, and in which true freedom and the attendant rights granted by the Creator dissipate and disappear, although sometimes slowly.
How am I to treat my fellow man? Let the purpose of the church be our portion. Let the name of Christ be exalted above all. Let my tongue utter no unkind or unwholesome word. Let the image of Christ Himself be revealed in me. Let my conversation be a blessing, not a curse. Let it be known that believing God is counted for righteousness. Let it be said of every action that I imitate Paul, as Paul imitates Christ. And let it be known both here and afterwards that He is King of kings, and Lord of lords. Then, it goes without saying that honesty, integrity, truthfulness, faithfulness and the fruit of the Spirit will fulfill His desire for my relationship to my fellow man.
Labels: ministry of Douglas A. White
