There are numerous tensions in Scripture; apparent contradictions which contain great truth and provide inspiration and motivation for the followers of Jesus Christ.

Two quotations from Revelation highlight this:

They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been. (Rev 6.10-11)

This is a prayer for justice, akin to many of the Psalms; longing for the righteousness of God to be victorious.

The divine response, ‘wait a little longer,’ is one of reassurance.

The second quotation is;  They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. (Rev 12.11)

We as believers share in the battle. We play a part in the defeat of Satan.

There is mystery here. 12.11 refers to action and commitment. 6.10-11 refers to prayer, dependent on God to act on behalf of His people. God has ordained that we will serve and pray as part of God fulfilling His word.

So with the final victory -although certain, we are drawn in to play a part; costly and therefore important. This point is not unimportant, nor cursory, nor token. It is real – God genuinely includes us in His plan to bring in His kingdom.

As Lazarus comes out of the grave, Jesus instructed those present to ‘take off the grave clothes and let him go’ (John 11.44).

Grave clothes were proper to death, to lying in a grave. Lazarus was now raised from dead – he had to put off those grave clothes.

Leviticus 18-19 provide a list of matters which the children of Israel were to avoid 18.24-28 describes that these were common to the nations living in Canaan, nations which would later be cast out of the land. The sins listed, probably not exhaustive, were indicative of how those people lived. The people of God were not to copy them. Indeed, in Israel’s later history, God frequently judged Israel for doing just that.

The NT seems to follow this pattern. Several times we are instructed to put aside something. The ways of living, which are common to those who do not believe – believers to reject them.

1 Cor 6.9-11 ‘such were some of you’ – Corinth was the home to much sexual perversion. Converts had previously been involved. They must now learn not to live that way.

Gal 5.16-18 ‘desires of the sinful nature’ – the old way of life. Paul lists in v19-21 – mixture of actions and attitudes.; common way of life; normal. By the Christian is to put off such things. The problem is not that believers have, for example, ‘selfish ambition.’ The problem is when Christians hold such an attitude. – take off those grave clothes.

Eph 4.17-5.21; Col 2.6-23. Although the letters to Ephesus and Colossae were written by the apostle Paul about the same time, he references to different elements of the local sinful culture. I heard testimony of a prevalence of fortune-tellers in Liverpool. It was commented that these are not so common in other major cities. We should expect different places to have differences, in culture, in trade, in art and music, and in sin. These two sections would appear to support that tentative conclusion.

Room 13.11-14. Christian discipleship means putting off AND putting on. Paul’s command in clear – we are to put on Christ; His character and way. He is truly our example.

Everywhere are cultural norms; common behaviours and attitudes. This does not mean they are right. In fact, common cultural norms are probably sinful!

A Jewish Rabbi commented to Max Lucado (see It’s not about me!) not to think of the letter (of a particular commandment or instruction) but to think lifestyle. So, take off those grave clothes and put on Christ.

The Old Testament book of Judges provides many salutary lessons. It highlights the frailty and sinful tendencies in all humans.  It reminds us of our weaknesses. One element is the frequent internal divisions in the nation.

Judges 5 – Deborah and Barak call the tribes to join together to fight against the Midianites who had invaded the land. In the face of this threat, some of the tribes failed to join the fight. Deborah’s song records the tribes of Reuben and Gilead and Dan (v16-17) staying put, whilst others risked their lives (v18).

Judges 8 – During the time of Gideon, an argument arose with Ephraim, “Why have you treated as like this?” (v1-3) They criticised him sharply. They seemed to have missed out on the fighting. In response, Gideon commented that they had captured and killed Oreb and Zeeb, leaders of the Midianites. The writer says that their resentment was subdued; not totally, I fear!

Judged 9 – Abimelech was not an exemplary judge. We read that there was conflict between him and the citizens of Shechem, which led to him slaughtering 1,000 in the tower of Shechem. In turn, Abimelech was killed when trying to capture the town of Thebez.

Judges 12 – When Jephthah became Judge in Israel, the Ephraimites (again) complained that they had not been asked to join the fight against the Ammonites. Jephthah answered that he had called, but they had failed to respond.

Judges 20 & 21 – the final episode of the book marks the low point of Israelite history for many centuries. The detail is not edifying. Benjamin rebelled against the other eleven tribes, leading to them agreeing (for once) to attack Gibeah and Benjamin. Finally the tribe of Benjamin is almost wiped out.

The severity of these divisions seems to reflect the general spiritual declension in Israel. As their love for God grew cold, as each one “did as he saw fit” – unity and community fragmented.