The Need for Balance

Posted on March 13, 2008 

Filed Under Brandon Renfroe, Christian Growth

by Brandon Renfroe

All rational individuals strive for balance. In writing to the Philippians, Paul exhorted, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone” (Phil. 4:5, ESV). The same apostle would admonish those in Ephesus to no longer be “tossed to and fro by the waves” (Eph. 4:14, ESV).

Nowhere is balance more needed than in the church. As Joshua prepared to fill the leadership void left by the death of Moses, he was charged to honor the law that bore his predecessor’s name. “Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left,” he was instructed, “that you may have good success wherever you go” (Josh. 1:7).

There are those today who are apparently unmindful of this foundational premise. Some are in need of greater respect for sacred authority, choosing to incorporate practices for which there is no divine sanction. Others would involve the body of Christ in a perpetual civil war of infighting and name-calling. Given their constantly combative disposition, it is doubtful that some would be enthused with a Christianity wholly devoid of the controversial.

Along these lines, legend has it that the apostle John was once observed playing with a tame partridge. For his efforts he was rebuked by an austere brother who accused him of wasting valuable time. John reportedly responded, “The bow that is always bent will soon cease to shoot straight” (quoted in Barclay, John: Vol. 1, 18). Even if apocryphal, are there no lessons to be gleaned from this exchange?
 
Schoolteachers, for example, witness inappropriate behavior in their students on a daily basis. If they corrected every instance, punishing each infraction, there would be little time for instruction. Seasoned teachers do not believe it is their responsibility to correct each slight misstep along the way, but rather to model the behavior they desire their students to eventually emulate. Rome was not built in a day, and the changes we desire to instill will not occur overnight, either.

On the other hand, to totally ignore misbehavior would also be ineffective. Students quickly recognize a teacher who is unable, or unwilling, to set definite boundaries and enforce certain rules. Younger teachers often fall into this trap in overzealous efforts to be admired by their pupils. Experience teaches the wise that friendliness and occasional firmness are not mutually exclusive. 

These principles are easily transferable to the religious arena. At times it is tempting to exclaim, to again borrow from John, that “the whole world lies under the sway” of various delusions (cf. 1 Jn. 5:19, NKJV). Nevertheless, to berate those honestly in error is counterproductive to success and is actually irreligious (cf. Mt. 5:22). If we begin by seeking to correct every false notion held, we will likely lose whatever chance we had with the potential convert.

At the same time, a refusal to address religious misconceptions is unacceptable, in spite of the ever-present potential for controversy. While at times unpleasant, we do no one any favors by ignoring issues which compromise the salvation of their soul. A true friend seeks the good of his neighbor, even if he must endure temporary pain to achieve it.

When meeting error, whether entertained by friend or foe, it is prudent to remember that “sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness” (Prov. 16:21, ESV). Why employ harsh words, which only engender hard feelings, when the Bible teaches that “a soft answer turns away wrath” (cf. Prov. 15:1). Most individuals are neither impressed nor intimidated by those whose only recourse is to insult. While it is impossible to encapsulate all that Christianity is, it is not nearly as difficult to recognize what Christianity is not. 

No one applies these principles with perfect consistency, nor does anyone practice these virtues flawlessly. Even on our best days, it is probable that our practice will lag somewhere behind our theory. This does not necessarily make us hypocrites. It does make us painfully human–those curious and fallible creatures Jesus died to save.

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Comments

One Response to “The Need for Balance”

  1. JRandal on March 18th, 2008 8:01 am

    Matt, excellent article. Balance is a special interest of mine, since I began collecting material back in the 80s for a book, which never materialized.

    Your application to correcting doctrine is very good and needed, from both sides.

    I was glad to be in Recife this weekend teaching on how to allow God to transform our lives; especially so, since the last time I was there I taught on those doctrines now disputed among us. So this time gave me opportunity to show I’m no radical who harps on certain themes without giving consideration to others such as relationship with God.

    I didn’t go for that reason — to show I’m no radical –, but I trust God will use it to bring about that result, since some there have twisted my teaching and are calling me a legalist, as if that makes their digressive teaching legitimate. But I digress …

    Your quote of Phillipians 4:5 in the ESV caught my attention, and that provided me a moment of pleasant study on the term “reasonableness” (Gr., “epieikes”), usually translated “gentleness.” Yesterday on an email discussion list, I made a point about our attitudes when it comes to judging, and this fits right in. (Which also reminded me to post my reply on my site.)
    http://randalmatheny.com/2008/03/18/consigning-people-to-heaven-or-hell/

    Anyway, thanks for the good article, I appreciate the good and proper balance you showed.

    Randal

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