This seems such an obvious question, yet …

Bryn Hughes, in Discipling, Mentoring and Coaching (page 127) comments that British Church culture would seem to be based on ‘Gentle Jesus, meek and mild’ (a hymn lyric) and ‘turn the other cheek’ (from the Sermon on the Mount).

Similarly, F.F.Bruce’s ‘Hard sayings of Jesus’ lists numerous uncomfortable statements from the gospels. It has left me wondering that we can so easily ignore such ‘hard sayings’ leaving us with an over-sentimental view of our Saviour.

It is striking that, when Jesus asked the Twelve what people thought of Him, they responded: “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah. And still others Jeremiah” (Matt 16.13-14). All three of these men were passionate and uncompromising, committed to the truth of God in a challenging and hostile environment. All three risked their lives for the God of truth and for the truth of God. They were not always easy to be around. They made enemies.

In the early Church, we read; “Great fear seized the whole Church and all who heard about these events. No-one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” (Acts 5.11, 13, 14).

The Lord Jesus seemed to create a similar contradictory reaction as people flocked to hear Him yet turned away from Him. (John chapter 6 is a good example of this.)

How about you?

Philemon is the apostle Paul’s shortest letter, tucked away before the book of Hebrews. Verse 6 reads: “and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.”

The letter itself is delightful, and full of compassion and companionship. These words gently encourage Philemon, a man of some standing, to share his faith more effectively.

What is interesting is that, as we share our faith we grow in our knowledge of “every good thing” that we have in Christ.

One barrier to our sharing our faith is our lack of understanding. We think we cannot answer objections that people may have. Paul starts the other way around! He encourages Philemon to share his faith so that he will grow in understanding.

The Lord Jesus said something similar in John 7.17; “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.” Here, He puts obedience before understanding. As we obey what Christ teaches, we will find our understanding of scripture grows.

This is so helpful. So often Christianity is presented as something intellectual, leaving some at a perceived disadvantage. But the order of the New Testament is that we obey Christ, and share our faith, so that we can grow in understanding. Given Christ’s wonderful love for us, why would we not wish to obey Him, and share our faith?

Consider the Bible’s contradictions – if we try to live by law these contradictions are a problem; if we live by putting on Christ, these are liberating. God does not micro-manage our lives – He says: “you work it out.”

I have found these Bible contradictions and apparent contradictions helpful. Each creates a tension – deeming apparently opposite or contradictory behaviour acceptable.

The NT presents not a new set of ‘holier than the OT’ rules not a ‘more relaxed than the OT’ rules. Rather it presents a way of life in the power of the Holy Spirit, we pursue a life of Christ-likeness. And these contradictions help us navigate a confusing and contradictory world.

Proverbs 26.4-5 –  how frequently do we find ourselves in a discussion with a ‘fool’? It might be a family or work event that we cannot exempt ourselves from. Discussion turns to a subject we don’t much care for. Do we join in or stay silent? Do we follow the folly or try to steer it on to a more edifying subject?

Some would say; whatever we say will lead to our being criticised. And we might read these verse that way.

Or, and this is my preference. There are words for that occasion. It is like God Himself says, “You choose. let the Holy Spirit give you some words to use.”

Luke 7.33-34 –

The Lord Jesus gave high commendation to His forerunner, John the Baptist. But their habits were different. John abstained from feasting. Jesus frequently ate and drank and with ‘doubtful’ company.

Yet both were right! “Wisdom is proved right by her children.” The Lord Jesus adds this postscript to pre-empt our choosing a preference.

Will my testimony for Christ be enhanced or diminished by attending the work Christmas party? Should I go for a while and then leave early before things get too ugly?

“You decide,” God says. “As a child of God, learn to choose well.”

Lev 20.7-8 –

So, who makes me holy? Here God insists, “I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Yet a moment before we are commanded to by holy.

Surely both cannot be true. In fact, both are true!

For the follower of Jesus Christ, in-dwelt by the Spirit of God, we are on the escalator to Christ-likeness (Rom 8.29 ?) God has committed to make us like His Son. We co-operate with that great adventure,

Gal 6.2, 5 – bearing with one another’s burdens. There is a nuance here, between the wording in verse 2 and that in verse 5. Applying this to our lives; we each have personal responsibility to repent, to have faith, to pray, to gather with God’s people, etc. Yet we also have responsibility to carry the burdens of others. In between is the caution that I cannot live someone else’s life for them. I have to find the tension between supporting someone else and giving them opportunity to stand on their own.

Listen to Andrew Wilson’s explanation of this tension here: https://vimeo.com/774458466