Walk In Wisdom—Part Two

Ephesians 5:15–17
Sunday, June 14, 2020
Pastor Randy Smith

The Bible talks about how people will act in the era we presently find ourselves, commonly called the “last days. We often think of the immorality, but an overlooked component is “foolishness.” Romans 1:22, “Professing to be wise, they became fools.”

You can’t shop, but you can loot. You can’t work, but you can steal. You can’t attend church, but you can burn one down. Planned Parenthood can support Black Lives Matter, but kills black babies by the thousands. You can demand Justice for George Floyd, but can ignore the hundreds of police officers that were either killed or injured over this situation.

The heart of all foolishness is rejecting God. Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” How can we expect to be wise if we begin by rejecting the source of true wisdom? Along these lines, even facts are often disregarded these days and people are formulating their decisions solely on feelings.

Now feelings are an important component of our creation. However, feelings were never intended to lead our actions. They are deficient, flawed and often misguided because they easily jump on the bandwagon of mob mentality or stirring movies or wicked heart motives. God wants us to be guided by our minds, minds that take every thought “captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5), minds that are formulated by the Word of God. Feeling then following the direction of the intellect. Wise living!

It is clear that America, probably to the greatest degree in my lifetime, is like a ship driven without a rudder. As our leaders are often complicit, our country is driven by an ever-changing agenda that is Godless and thoughtless. And unless you are emotionally swept up in the times, most sane citizens look at the behavior and actions and proposals and see the foolishness.

So just to be sure we keep our biblical focus when there is so much pull to take us off course, I have chosen to preach a two-part sermon encouraging the church toward wise living.

Ephesians 5:15–17 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.”

Last week we looked at the first five points. One, because there is only one race with all people stamped in the image of God – racism is wrong. Two, because people are inherently sinful by nature – the government is God’s gift and the police are necessary. Three, because we are called to respect one another and treat others as we would like to be treated – there is no excuse to destroy property. Four, because the philosophies and attitudes of society are often in direct opposition to God – be careful following what the world follows. And five, because causes may have anti-God beliefs, be careful whom you support.

Now the new material and as I promised last week, these topics are narrower and more directed toward the church.

Evaluate The Whole Issue

Imagine yourself hacking away are a large patch of weeds. As you grab some stems to apply the clippers, you feel a large thorn get embedded into your hand. In anger you cut the plant and keep moving. However, if you took the time to look, what you cut was a beautiful rose bush.

Are we upset that God put thorns on roses or do we rejoice that God put beautiful flowers on thorns? You see, it all depends on your outlook.

Emotionalism often only sees one side of a situation. Wisdom is able to look at a situation, carefully examine it from all angles and then present a comprehensive opinion. Wisdom is always looking to declare the bad, but seek to redeem it for good.

After all, this is the process of God. Isaiah 5:20, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil.” While at the same time, our God brings good out of all situations for His glory and the benefit of His people (Rom. 8:28).

Yes, some in life is black and white. However, much of this life is gray with a mixture of black and white. Often to be totally accepting or totally dismissive, make us as believers look like the very sheep we critique the world for being.

Wise people think, guided by the Word of God. Wise people examine the facts. Wise people go beyond the superficial solutions.

While on earth our Lord Jesus did not blindly follow a political party or the popular opinion or the worldly principles of human reasoning. He always acted in accordance with Scripture, but realized intense situations are complex and used evil situation as an opportunity for redemption.

Remember Jesus? You all say this tower fell on these folks because they are evil, but I say to you, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Lk. 13:3). You all know my chief opponents are the Scribes and Pharisees, but I say to you, “All that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds” (Mt. 23:3). Though you are about to say the most satanic thing, Peter, “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church” (Mt. 16:18).

Through all that’s been going on, can we agree that the death of George Floyd was evil and that the overwhelming majority of police officers are good and we need to continually rethink “race relations” in the church and society.

But can we evaluate the wise and foolish responses from the politicians and why people are acting the way that they are and what values our young people are missing in society and what lessons we can teach our children as they observe this and how we can better reach a culture for Christ. See the whole picture. Evaluate it biblically. Seek redemption.

Respect The Convictions OfOthers

There is a beautiful concept in the Christian life. It is called our “Freedom in Christ.” Some refer to it as “Christian Liberty.”

The Galatian Church in the Bible came under the pressure of people in the community to bow to their way of thinking. Paul’s response? “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” (Gal. 5:1). Twelve verses later Paul says, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13). This was spoken to the core elements of the Gospel, but it has application to all things in the Christian life as well.

Did you catch what Paul said? We have a freedom in Christ if an action is not expressly promoted or forbidden in the Bible. But while we have freedom in these gray areas, we must never use our freedom in Christ as an opportunity to sin.

In other words, our goal is to ultimately honor Christ as we are led by the Holy Spirit and Scriptures, but in the gray areas we might not always see eye-to-eye. And that is fine. And that is permitted. And that is respected because people in the church are thinking for themselves.

We can denounce the “mob mentality” today that is bullying people who refuse to think exactly as they do, but then permit it and do it ourselves in the church. I can’t tell you how much division has occurred in the church because people whom I call “controllers” believe everyone must think and act exactly like them.

Throughout the centuries – alcohol use, schooling our children, women’s dress, exercise, holiday celebrations, musical preference and now I add, one and only one way to respond to the current events.

Yes, there are biblical components we must all agree upon, but there are also other components we can and must agree to disagree. Specifically, how to reform the police department. How much George Floyd should be honored. The President’s photo-op with the Bible. Whether the military should be called in. Attitudes toward confederate statues. To what degree there should be a separation between “black lives matter” and “all lives matter.” You get the idea. These are not Gospel issues and therefore they must not divide us!

Let’s remember, Satan is always looking to divide the church. We learned in Ephesians 5 to be “making the most of [our time], because the days are evil.” No doubt evil days. Yet how can we make the “most of [our time]” when we are divided over the gray matters? We can no longer combat the evil days because we are now overcome by them.

I hope we can all agree upon the Gospel. It is the Gospel that unifies us. And it is gospel-living (specifically grace) that affords us the love to respect those in the church who might differ from us on non-essentials. Only then will our unified front be the Gospel and we will be prevented from being robotic clones of one another. Racism is when we are all forced to look alike. Beliefism (I made that word up) is when we are all forced to think alike.

Keep Public Disagreement Civil

How would you feel if you went to dine with some unbelievers and your entire family entered into a public civil and vicious war at the dinner table regarding something in your family? It would be quite embarrassing. It would make your Christian credibility questioned.

The Bible speaks to this very issue. In 1 Corinthians 6 we read of lawsuits among people in the church. What was wrong with that? Scripture, “Brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another” (1 Cor. 6:6-7).

This is not saying when a person speaks unbiblically we can never correct each other. We should! But the Bible makes it clear, Matthew 18:15 that the first step should be in “private.” And if there is the need to correct a public statement, such as something posted on social media, we should do it in love and gentleness.

If we are not already, we have got to start seeing one another as family and the unity between one another essential for our Gospel witness. That why Paul, when he spoke of those lawsuits said, “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?” (1 Cor. 6:7). It’s better to be wrong then be made right if it damages our witness to a watching world. Our greatest desire should not be personal vindication (Satan), but rather Christ’s exaltation (God). Because when we act this way, we show our Lord’s own humility.

1 Peter 2, “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps… while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously” (1 Pet. 2:21, 23).

And we read in Ephesians 4, “Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-4).

Our unity is essential, and it is fragile. It always pains me to see Christians not only dividing but airing their dirty vile for the world to see.

Point People Toward Christ

Now I am not saying that the “Good News” of salvation in Christ needs to be in the center of every conversation you have with every person, but the greatest good we can do is to fulfill our greatest commission. And through the fears that arose over the past three months, we have been given a great platform to proclaim the hope that comes in Christ.

I am not against trying to influence politics. I am not against solutions for a better society. But let’s remember that the greatest temporary and eternal good is to point people to Jesus Christ. Let’s remember that our primary mission is the Great Commission.

Those chilling words from our Savior. Luke 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”

Know the Gospel. Love the Gospel. Live the Gospel. And share the Gospel though your interactions and social media posts. Maybe then people will quit repenting over their skin color and start repenting over their sin problem.

Trust God’s Sovereignty

It is very easy to look at the current landscape and feel anxious, hopeless and frustrated. Therefore, it’s very easy to look for glimmers of encouragement in a political commentary or conversation with a friend. It’s reassuring when things possibly turn in a desired direction. Yet often God is lost because when we walk merely by sight in hopeful circumstances and not faith in God’s sovereignty.

Here is where we are most tested. Will we rest in the promises of God that He has given us in Scripture and has assured us in His character? Do we really believe that He is greater than Antifa and government and viruses? Do we really believe there will be a final accountability? Do we really believe He is still in control? Do we really believe God can bring any good out of this? Do we really believe the peace of heaven is not promised in this world? Do we really believe we are on the winning side? Do we really believe God is in control?

This is not the first time nor will it be the last time that the world is at unrest. God’s people have faced much harder times over the centuries and the church is still here and God is still on the throne.

“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts’” (Isa. 55:8-9).

Faith is understanding that while God always works in line with His character. His ways are beyond our ways. His will is often hidden and mysterious.

Did anyone understand in the First Century why a Man who proclaimed Himself to be the Messiah would allow His religious and political enemies to kill Him? Did anyone understand how the Man who was killed would rise from the dead three days later. Did anyone understand how His death would provide salvation for all who would come in Him by faith? Did anyone understand how the greatest evil the world would ever see would result in the greatest good the world will ever know?

The Gospel message of Christ for those with Christ gives us great hope.

So,

• Racism is wrong.
• The police are necessary.
• There is no excuse to destroy property.
• Be careful following what the world follows.
• Be careful whom you support.
• Evaluate the whole issue.
• Respect the convictions of others.
• Keep public disagreements civil.
• Point people toward Christ.
• Trust God’s sovereignty.