It has been impressed upon me that the current of today’s culture has shifted categorically away from God-fearing to God-judging. It is also true that God is plainly ignored, a charge that can and should be leveled primarily at the church. Formerly, when someone suffered an illness or injustice, they assumed that there must be something in themselves amiss, or that it was simply God's will. And even if inexplicable, the assumption was that God is always right. But now it seems God is "on the hot seat," that he is at the behest of public opinion or the neglect of church indifference. Now, they accuse God of wrongly judging them, that “if God is love, how could this happen?” Even Job apparently was not exempt from this temptation, for youthful Elihu called both Job and his other "comforters" on the carpet:
“Therefore, hear me, you men of understanding: far be it from God that he should do wickedness, and from the Almighty that he should do wrong. For according to the work of a man he will repay him, and according to his ways he will make it befall him. Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice. Who gave him charge over the earth, and who laid on him the whole world? If he should set his heart to it and gather to himself his spirit and his breath, all flesh would perish together, and man would return to dust. “If you have understanding, hear this; listen to what I say. Shall one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty," (Job 34:10-17)
When God himself stepped in to enlighten Job, he posed this piercing question: "Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?" (Job 40:8) I say "piercing" because I do not think that Job imagined he was putting God in the wrong, condemning him to make himself look right. This truth had to cut him. It always does.
There will always be issues which befuddle even the most astute of church members and theologians. Mystery enshrouds our Lord. Indeed, "his ways are past finding out" (Romans 11:33). Job did get it right when he affirmed, "If one wished to contend with him, one could not answer him once in a thousand times. . . Who does great things beyond searching out, and marvelous things beyond number" (Job 9:3 & 10).
I fear that much "emerging conversation" and theological discussion, while fostered by valid concerns, still descends into the abyss of foolishness when their supposed solutions impugn the unique value of Christ's Body, the Church. Tread carefully! Gamaliel was wise when Peter and the apostles were being threatened with death. His counsel to the ruling body is one which we today must heed, "If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!"
On 26 November, 1868, Charles Spurgeon preached, "Man Transient: God's Word Eternal." Some of his closing words crystallize the call for scrutiny when it comes to judging the Church of God:
Never think of the Church of God as if she were in danger. If you do, you will be like Uzza; you will put forth your hand to steady the ark, and provoke the Lord to anger against you. If it were in danger, I tell you, you could not deliver it. If Christ cannot take care of his Church without you, you cannot do it. Be still, and know that he is God. . . When you begin to say, “The Church is in danger! The Church is in danger!” what is that to thee? It stood before thou wert born; it will stand when thou hast become worm’s meat. Do thou thy duty. Keep in the path of obedience, and fear not. He who made the Church knew through what trials she would have to pass, and he made her so that she can endure the trials and become the richer for it. The enemy is but grass, the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
Amen.
Dave
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