Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God; if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of little children, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”
–Romans 2.17-24 (NIV)
When I was a teenager, my mother would tell me on a regular basis before I would leave the house to go out with my buddy, “Remember who you are, Kevin.” She was zealous of our family surname and wanted to make sure I acted accordingly. It would not do for a Maney to behave badly in a small town because word would get out quickly and bring disgrace to our family’s good name.
In today’s passage from Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, we see a similar concern expressed. Based on what Paul writes here, there clearly were both Jews and Gentiles that comprised the church at Rome and here Paul is addressing the Jewish population. As we saw in yesterday’s reflection, just as Lent can serve as a healthy antidote to unholy judgmentalism, so it can provide a healthy antidote to Christians who are tempted to act badly in ways that bring dishonor to God’s Name.
For those of us who would call ourselves Christian, protecting God’s name should be a top priority. Don’t misunderstand. God is Holy and does not need our puny efforts to protect his reputation. God is who God is and nothing we say or do can change that. What I am talking about here is the fact that when Christians act badly, when they behave in uncharitable and self-serving ways, for example, they provide an awful testimony to those who do not know God. Instead of blaming the actual people who act badly, unbelievers will typically use bad Christian behavior as an excuse not to believe in God or take his word seriously. Don’t believe me? Check out any of Bill Maher’s stuff.
And on one level, who can blame unbelievers? Who wants to be with a group of folks who give every indication that they are just like the rest of the world, who do not consistently act like they really are God’s called-out (holy) people? Of course, it probably wouldn’t matter to many unbelievers how Christians act. They are not likely to change their minds regardless of whether Christians behave badly or as Christians. But the point remains valid nevertheless. When we as Christians behave badly, it gives a black eye to our faith and vicariously to the One we purport to love and serve, and this is what Paul is addressing in today’s passage. As Jesus reminded us, we are to be his salt and light to God’s broken and hurting world.
No, anyone who professes to love God will zealously guard his Name and reputation and we do that best by how we behave. As my mother used to remind me, we must remember who we are (and Whose). We see this concern poignantly expressed in both the OT and NT. Listen to the psalmist, for example:
You, God, know my folly;
my guilt is not hidden from you.Lord, the LORD Almighty,
may those who hope in you
not be disgraced because of me;
God of Israel,
may those who seek you
not be put to shame because of me.
For I endure scorn for your sake,
and shame covers my face (Psalm 69.5-7).
Here again is where observing the season of Lent can help us because it reminds us of Whose we are and what is expected of us. Lent reminds us to put to death in ourselves that which makes us behave in ugly and unseemly ways, and which provides a terrible witness to God’s hurting creatures who desperately need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ. We do this through acts of self-denial, especially by fasting. We drink deeply from God’s word in Scripture to remember Whose we are, who God is, what God has done for us in Christ, and how our behavior should change once we accept God’s gracious invitation to us in Jesus. We engage the Lord in prayer, in part, to learn our marching orders and how he wants us to bring honor to his Name. Especially during Lent we focus on self-examination, on ruthlessly purging ourselves (with the help of Christ’s Holy Spirit living in us) of anything that keeps us hostile toward and separated from God and our fellow humans. All this, in turn, will help us bear the fruit of the Spirit.
And when we begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, when we begin to behave in ways that demonstrate we really do have a saving faith in Christ, it will turn heads and make people stand up and take notice. Why are we being merciful instead of vengeful? Why do we choose to forgive instead of hate? Why are we looking out for the needs of others as much, if not more so, than our own? Why are we willing to give our time, talents, and money in loving service for others, especially when there really isn’t anything in it for us? None of this would make sense if you use the standards of the world, but all of it makes sense if you are a Kingdom worker because when you do these things you are demonstrating to God and others that you are willing to deny yourself, take up your cross everyday, and follow Jesus. But to do any of this, you must first get your mind right with God through a conscious and Spirit-aided effort to live your live according to how God wants you to live, rather than how you want to live your life. And of course this brings us back to the season of Lent and its purpose.
Remember who you are (with and without God). Remember Whose you are. If you love Jesus and seek to follow him, you will be zealous to bring him honor and glory by how you behave. You won’t get it right all the time because you are human. But that should not stop you from zealously guarding the Name and seeking his help to put to death that which is in you that can bring dishonor to your name and his.
When by God’s grace you are empowered to get it right more often than not, when you are empowered and given the privilege to be a Kingdom worker, you will discover a richness, joy, and purpose to your life that will simply blow your mind and remind you of the greatness and glory of the One who loves you and gave himself for you in a terrible and costly act on the cross. During this season of Lent may you find (or rediscover) the glory and richness of the Lord Jesus and be empowered to be the bearer of his Good News to those whom he loves.
And if you are an unbeliever who is reading this and who is tired of living a life of alienation, if you are seeking healing in your life as well as real purpose and meaning, I invite you to take the plunge and see what Jesus is all about. If you give him a fair hearing and if you are willing to be part of a broader community of believers whom Jesus will use to help minister to you, then I assure you that you will find him who will satisfy the deepest desires and longings of your heart. Use this season of Lent to begin a life-changing and life saving relationship with the very Lord of the universe and begin to enjoy life as you were meant to live it.