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 June - July, 2009 Dear Saints, Students of the scriptures may occasionally wonder at the response to God of those men and women who have come before us. Why would Eve listen to a snake who instructed her contrary to the God she loved? How could Lot's wife even consider turning her gaze toward the city she had left after having been told by God of the consequences? After having baptized our Lord in the Jordan River, and witnessing of the majesty of the Son of God, how could our brother John send his disciples later in life to inquire whether Christ was, in fact, the Messiah? And, what of Peter? The list of puzzling responses could be extended, and such considerations are not without merit, but the fruitfulness of such an inquiry is limited. It seems very easy for one to question those we read about, and to scrutinize them for their indiscretions. Perhaps one might consider his own response if he were placed under the circumstances of those whom we study. Again, the answer is often forthcoming: we would not make the same errors - no, we would definitely uphold the will of God without wavering and demonstrate a perfect faith, especially after having been given so great a witness of God's condescension. Yes, this is very easy, and a simple end to a superficial examination, but what if the examiner were able to look more earnestly into his or her own life, and to acknowledge the truth of the matter? Have we never given ourselves to sin as did Eve, never shifted our gaze from the glory of God to an object of our curiosity as did Lot's wife, or allowed doubt to enter our hearts as did John the Baptist? Christ told Peter to pray, and found him sleeping. Have we not also slumbered when we might have realized a more profitable ministry? Yes, Peter denied Christ three times, but have our works not also suggested the same from time to time? A more fruitful exercise might be to turn our powerful and critical gaze upon our own souls. We may find that we are not the perfect beings we once thought, nor in the most proper position wherefrom to judge our brother. Christ spoke the following:
If we do have the ability to critically examine ourselves, without losing sight of our great worth in the eyes of God, then we have the awareness wherefrom growth springs, and whereby men discover a more humble service. To identify our own faults may only be the beginning in the process of overcoming them, but it is most certainly a beginning which cannot be omitted if we are to fulfill the measure of our creation. If we would be as critical of ourselves as we are of others, and at the same time find a motive in our examination rather than the destructive elements of guilt, then we would be well served. Undoubtedly, our fathers were not perfect, but the exacting subjection of their works to proper judgment does not belong to us. One day, those who are godly will be able to see as they are seen, and truly know as they are known. Let us work toward this end, that we might execute our probation in a reformative way. If one is able to identify sin, then his gift is made sure, but only when its application begins with the one to whom it is given, and ends in the purging of those unsavory elements uncovered in the process. This truly is a great work of the Church - not the collaboration of the perfect - but the perfecting of the faithful in Christ. Should one find himself lacking after careful examination, he mustn't mistake his knew understanding in terms of failure. Much more is his gain. He is now fit for the exercises whereby his growth is made sure in the noble and capable hands of a most gracious King. It is this exercise of the soul which is the work of the church, and the pleasure of God. Let us come together then, and look for His great work and glory among us. Your brother and servant in Christ,
Brian Herren, |