One feels the urge to find extremists and argue, perhaps plead, for greater normalcy in their lives and their objectives to improve both their lives and the circumstances related to others in the world or community. This urge is not to deny that some persons (few in the light of statistics) have chosen to live oddly in any culture, so to become counter-cultural persons for a righteous purpose as was the lifestyle of John the Baptist, or Simon the Stylite. Such choice is shown, in gentle ways, in the life of Amish communities, or in some other different sub-culture. It may appear in resolute form like that of the Franciscans, or some of the prophets. The value added factor in spiritual life is more in seeking to model Christ, or following a regimen of prayer, perhaps responding to a group expectation related to clothing, or some health pattern. It does not displace the common culture, but draws attention for purpose that, when rightly formed and perceived becomes a means of advertising right purpose. There are various ways of achieving evangelism, some ways objectionable to the general population of both Christians and non-Christians. For several decades a group, claiming to be Christians, urged female adherents to win men by sharing sexual favors. This year, 2012, Christianity Today reviewed the shift from the carnal oddity by this group that had dropped from about 12,000 adherents to 4,000. (In 1965 I was approached by one of the group on the street in Seattle. I was doubly shocked in that my wife was standing by me when the oral proposal was made.) It should not be taken as commentary on Christianity when extremists propose some oddity and try to attach it to the name of Christ. Some persons are addicted to oddity for their lives. It gains craved attention.
In those passages of Scripture listing the elements of righteousness and service, we do not have any suggestion that we can achieve higher spiritual approval through lacerating our bodies, or following some extraneous general conduct, or demand undue sacrifice, or create a new oddity. Spiritual growth in the Christian life comes by prayer; by self-examination in the light of Scripture; by reliance on the Holy Spirit; by righteousness that wins over unrighteousness; by worship participation like keeping the ordinances, even fasting within limits. The person fasting must not appear to be emaciated from denial of nourishment. This last is part of the teaching that God does not expect his followers to model life in any extreme or excess, but a pattern that would serve as standard for all with regard for righteousness. The main point of Scripture is that Christians find their genuineness in modeling Christ, that is, to do what Christ would do and think if living in the context of currency, for the needs of others in obedience to God’s word. We can take up factors we find helpful, and in varying quantities, for balancing our lives, obligations and ideals. In this pattern lies an open secret of the elevated spiritual life.
For myself, I am careful about the Lord’s Day, believe in church involvement, have daily prayer, use affirmative/gracious language, treat my family with a special attitude relating to spiritual blessing, love and courage, keep faith with honesty, gentleness, assistance, patience, generosity, modesty, and the like. Many a Christian has won attention to faith by generosity or turned persons away by miserliness. Francis of Assissi, so revered for his faith, was so ferocious against any of his followers even touching money, no matter how small the coin, that he would mete out unbelievably crude punishments to any friar who violated his abolition. God meant for his followers to find comfort, joy, peace, affirmation, a kind of normalcy in life. In sum, personal faith in Christ is vouched for in righteous belief and conduct, in service to others especially related to the clarification and attraction of God in mankind, and in a spirit of devotion to God that benefits all persons. Christianity is meant to be strong, virulent, declared, and kind. There is comfort and confidence in it. So favorable is it that persons may be presumptive in their faith in attitudes towards those who do not share their faith, and particularly with those whose negative attitudes toward God, or God’s children, become activists against God and necessary values. We need to remember that God does not really have to be defended. He is quite able to care for himself. He only asks of us that we share his redemptive plan and experience with others to eternal benefit. We may overly accent our own form for witness than is his preference for a life balance in the Christian Gospel. The message of the gospel is dramatic. Its presentation seldom is. God is in the business of forming lives. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020