Walk In Wisdom – Part One

Ephesians 5:15–17
Sunday, June 7, 2020
Pastor Randy Smith

The goal of the Christian life is to draw closer to Jesus, to know Him more intimately and grow greater into His image. This what God wants from us (if we understand His glory) and this is what we should want for ourselves (if we understand true joy).

However, there are some “disadvantages” if I can be bold enough to say that. For the greater your heart beats with the Lord, the more you’ll see your own sin (that’s good, but humbling) and the more you will see the world going in a different trajectory than God (that’s frustrating). The jokes aren’t funny. The thinking is illogical. The pursuits are irrelevant. The pleasures are disgusting. And the worship is idolatry. Yes, it makes you long for heaven, but if you are not careful, it can also make you cynical or withdrawn – basically useless for Christ.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, the world can also pull us into its grip. If we are not careful, Christians can allow the world to dictate our causes and our beliefs and our attitudes. We can easily get squeezed into their mold and while we intend well, the powerhouse of our actions becomes feelings, experiences or whatever is currently trending.

The only hope we have is process life according to the following: Jesus Christ is our Lord and Master. We exist to be pleasing to Him. And we please Him by living according to the Scriptures. This is evidence of salvation. This is honoring to God. This is bringing forth the greatest good for ourselves and others. This is wise living.

Ephesians 5 once again, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:15-17).

First the Coronavirus and now the riot, the world needs to process these things with a God-centeredness. And we of all people must be modeling that. So today I intended to share 10 biblical points (but we’ll only get through half of them) that are necessary for our understanding in the present time that is shrouded in much confusion. And while each point could be a standalone sermon, time permits me only to touch on it, make the case and move on.

• Racism Is Wrong

Yes, that term that is thrown out by every non-thinker who wishes to demonize his opponent . The weight of that word sadly is too often lost in the rhetoric, but racism is a reality and racism is sinful.

When God created the world, Genesis 1:27 tells us that He “created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” We have been created with gender distinction, but not race distinction. We are all in the human race. And unlike the rest of creation, all humans have been made in God’s image. To elevate animals above humans or to elevate one skin tone above another, reveals a failure to understand and appreciate the intrinsic God-given value of all human beings.

1 Samuel 16:7 says, “God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” If we have a heart after God’s heart, we will see beyond the veneer of one’s skin. Positively, we will appreciate the creative ability of God. As we can admire leaves that differ in shape, size and color, we will see the same in humans.

And specifically for the church, the work of Christ, Ephesians 2:14-15, has made all ethnic “groups into one [having broken] down the barrier of the dividing wall...[He has made] the two into one new man, thus establishing peace.”

As Christians, we stand against all true racism in the world and permit it not in the church.

Think biblically!

• The Police Are Necessary

Romans 13, “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.”

We have covered this extensively with the COVID situation. Yes, there are times when civil disobedience is justified, but for the Christian that is by far the exception and not the norm. Our biblical command is not to rebel – rebelling to authority is something in the Bible we see from demons and a depraved society. Our biblical command is to submit and respect. Our actions in reference to the police force are no different.

Are there some “bad apples” out there. Of course! Should we tolerate their unjustified murder of George Floyd? Of course not! But there are “bad apples” in every profession and among all people groups. There are racist white people and there are racist black people. There are corrupt politicians, pastors and plumbers. Why? Because we live in a world that is evil. And my friends, it will be that way until our Lord return. If anything, the Bible says it will “proceed from bad to worse” (2 Tim. 3:13) as the Day of the Lord approaches.

All the way back to Genesis 6:6. “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Ecclesiastes 9:3, “The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives.” The surprise is not that there is evil in the world. The surprise is that depraved hearts, devoid of the Spirit and dependent on the god of this world do anything that resembles good.

And that is the theology regarding law enforcement officers. Thank God for them! Apart from them there would be blood in the streets every day. Just watch the nightly news and observe the anarchy when lawlessness is permitted to run its course unabated.

Think biblically!

• There Is No Excuse To Destroy Property

We should be thankful that we live in a republic where we can publicly raise our voice and gather in protest. But when it goes beyond that, we have violated not only human law, but also biblical law.

The general principle is Matthew 7:12. “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Would you still loot that business if it belonged to your mother? Would you still toss that brink if your brother was behind the police uniform? Specifically, we are talking about the “Golden Rule.” Are you okay if those actions were done to you? If you feel this is the best way to make your point torch your own house.

What we are talking about is the concept of respect. Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

Now I understand the DNA of the rioters is complex. People are there because they have a free pass for chaotic behavior. Some are bussed in and paid to created civil unrest. Some are taking advantage of the situation. And some are genuine protesters going about it in the wrong way. But regardless of the motives and regardless of the frustrations, there is never biblical justification to do wrong, even if it means an opportunity to do right.

Think biblically!

• Be Careful Following The World

Of course, we know we should never follow the world. 1 John 2:15, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

It’s only when we are walking in the Spirit and have our minds guided by Scripture do we realize how much the world – the philosophies, the agenda, the trending stories – are not only contrary to God, but also in demonic opposition to God.

Let’s not forget that the ruler of this world is the (John 8:44) “father of lies” who (2 Corinthians 11:14) “disguises himself as an angel of light.” It’s subtle. Therefore, it feels right. It brings approval from others. But it is spiritual adultery. James 4:4, “You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Think biblically!

What is the purpose of marriage? What is true marital love? How should we resolve conflict? Why and how should we discipline our children? Why is church essential? Why is Jesus the only way to heaven? Why is fornication wrong? Why do we respect authority? How is true peace achieved? Why do we not hate all police officers? Why do we not stand for police brutality? Why is racism wrong?

We also need to make sure we do not let the world set our agenda. How many people are emotionally swept up in the events of the day because of the promised acceptance when they conform or unrelenting pressure from the world when they don’t? How many Christians would finally come out of the closet and publicly condemn abortion if the world miraculously determined it was wrong as well? 350 Nigerian Christians have been martyred already this year and there is silence. How are we using the current narrative to lead people to true peace and hope in Jesus?

Be suspicious of all news outlets driven by money stoking the flames often to increase their viewership. Be suspicious of people who see the war entirely against other people and not ultimately, Ephesians 6:12, “Against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” And be suspicious to fight the good fight, not using worldly weapons, 2 Corinthians 10:4, “but divinely powerful [weapons] (like the Word and prayer) for the destruction of fortresses.”

Think twice before you jump on the world’s bandwagons and if you do, examine your motivation. Rise above the ever-changing echo chamber of the world and think biblically!

• Be Careful Whom You Support

This will be the last one before we go to the Lord’s Table.

You’ll probably remember a few years back there was the famous “Ice Bucket Challenge.” A fun activity that raised awareness and money for ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). How could anyone have a problem with that? Many did when they found the organization was also engaged in stem-cell research.

I’m sure we can find a problem with every organization we support with a hashtag, even spiritual ones, but before you promote an organization be sure you research the organization and knew fully what they stand for.

Obviously the big one now is “Black Lives Matter.” Of course, black lives matter. And I do believe there is a specific prejudice against black people that white people do not experience. So yes, black lives matter. But am I fully behind the organization, “Black Lives Matter,” after I have done my research from a biblical perspective?

Think biblically!

Well, as we prepare for the Lord’s Table that is all the time we have for this morning. Lord willing, next week I will cover points 6-10 that are narrower and more related to the church in particular.

Proverbs 13:20, “The companion of fools will suffer harm.” Please, for God’s glory and your Christian testimony and the ultimate good of others – walk in wisdom, honoring and living by the principles of Scripture.