For many persons, orthodox Christianity has sometimes been reduced to the most basic requirements for salvation – faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ substituting for penitents acknowledging their sinful natures. It seems to go no further than that for many who call themselves Christians. There is often tacit reliance upon mercy and forgiveness from God, and little thought that the experience is, when genuine, life changing in nearly all aspects of the human/ Christian experience. It means that the sinful nature is attenuated, and that we are presumed to act in ways to prove to the World and ourselves that the redemptive experience is genuine, and calls for righteous thought and conduct. Argument for improved conduct means that there is a godly context for cultural formation. Christians are presumed to be moving in this direction. Not perfect, they grow toward an ideal, perhaps impossible goal. An active journey in the mapped (biblical) direction makes one’s witness (model) persuasive for some observers to also follow.
Common belief holds that the Old Testament is full of laws and requirements. The age of grace is perceived as having set believers free from law to right motives. The interpretation may be glib, missing the New Testament call for righteousness and obedience. The Old Testament places duty to righteousness on persons under legislated law. The New Testament asks the same duty, but it must generate from within. It is not imposed, but we impose it on ourselves as response. James 1:29 reads like an Old Testament text: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress. . . Instances of the principle might be multiplied here, with strong support from various texts and specific words from Jesus. We are supposed to practice social relief, to reach out to the poor and the prisoner, to the sick, to strive for the good and rights of others, and the like for a caring society – from the church if not the society. This must be for natural life, for these are not issues that need to be addressed in any afterlife.
Old Testament lay persons sometimes got around law keeping because the priests, the leaders, the officials, became lax. The laws were not enforced and, for some periods, lost to the general memory. With published Scripture we are not going to lose source in modern times. We have complete Scripture, and there is no human authorized to enforce spiritual laws upon us. It is between persons and God, and there is no weaseling out of personal responsibility. Scripture guides us in what we are to be and do. The Holy Spirit assists us in the difficult commitment to righteous living and actions. So we are without excuse. I need to check myself on what I am about relative to my: prayer; thought life; uses of money and resources – to the problems of those who have less than I do; to the matters of sorrow and despair; and, to the issues of sin in myself and the World. I was animated by a card in the mail. It read, Thank you for your help, it has held my life together. I need to find more of those opportunities to demonstrate pure religion. If found they will reinforce my Christian faith and peace. I am duty bound to both being good (righteous), and doing good (serving human needs). Such is practical evidence of faith in the offering of Jesus Christ in redemption. It is a privilege to serve, but a calling as well. After decades, that menu for Christian life has served me well, well indeed. To be effective it needs to be attached to the humility of prayer, and in a context of Christian love. The whole is followed in an attitude of selflessness in appreciation to God to be a servant for his purpose. It ought to gain efficiency through the ministry of church congregations – humbly serving. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020