Lesson Number Five: Let Me Explain Why I Did That!

"If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He does not ask you to put it right; He asks you to accept the light, and He will put it right. A child of the light confesses instantly and stands bared before God; a child of the darkness says - 'Oh, I can explain that away.' When once the light breaks and the conviction of wrong comes, be a child of the light, and confess, and God will deal with what is wrong; if you vindicate yourself, you prove to be a child of the darkness."-Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, March 23rd entry.

Having been in the ministry in one form or fashion for over twenty years I believe I am safe to claim that one of the greatest obstacles a small church pastor will face is that of desiring to justify their behavior. Notice we are not discussing the issue of behavior. There is no need to bring certain sins or attitudes to our attention. What is vital and critical however is the issue of justifying said sins and attitudes. Chambers brings this to our attention by stating this type of behavior - justifying ourselves - is a direct result of still living in the flesh. Or, to put it another way, to remain carnally-minded.

Paul discusses this very issue and takes the Corinthian church to task on it in 1 Corinthians 3:1 and 3. He claims: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ...for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men." Lest we forget, the letter to the people of Corinth was not sent to derelicts and destitutes...it was hand written and sent to believers in Christ Jesus the Lord. Paul was communicating with his own...he was preaching to the choir! And, that, is precisely Chambers' point in this particualr entry.

Chambers was both a proponent and fanatic of what we might call practical Christianity. In other words, what a man believed with his heart, he lived out in the flesh. He practiced what he preached. Too many ministers demand holiness and sanctification of their people. They hold their "little flock", as Watchman Nee eloquently put it, to a higher plane than themselves. Of course, Jesus knew we would desire this modus operandi of misplacing our personal responsibility and accountability of our behavior upon other people. Psychologists today call is "transference." And, wow, do we as ministers have an easy target - the poor souls saddled with our idle preaching week in and week out as we verbally criticize and publicly cry out against their sins and shortcomings while completely neglecting our own beams which jet out of every orifice of our bodies. "I can do that, you see, because I have a 'calling.'" (Insert knowing chuckles at this point of the previous sarcastic remark.)

Seriously, however, listen to the impact of Chambers' comment on - "Oh, I can explain that away:" Those are words of a child of darkness. Try to vindicate yourself and you remain a child of darkness. As a pastor - a shepherd of souls - for a microscopic portion of humanity, it is up to us to not focus on the failings of God's people. That, thank God, is his business! That, thank God, is the business of the Holy Ghost! Our focus must be on the frail "sarx" that we find ourselves combatting each and every day. Consequences be what they may, the minister must set the tone for the people of God by sanctifying himself daily - moment by moment even. Why else would God have the Levites purify themselves FIRST before they set out to purify the Israelites SECOND? We dare not explain away what cost the very Son of God his life.

We are children of the light. As such, and with the great noteriety that is forever reserved for the small-church pastor -whether you want it or not - we must be in the light as he is in the light. (Thank you DC Talk.) The people of your community need to know you are one of them...not embarrased by them...not ashamed of them...and, definetely not talking ABOUT them. Even though the word is not found in the Bible, I do believe in the concept/idea of the term incarnate. God became one of us. The Word became flesh. "If you have seen me, you have seen the Father." Wouldn't it be beautiful for his church if the ministers would be able to look the church and the community in the eye and say, "If you have seen me, you have seen Christ."

Confess sin - you do not have to advertise it on a billboard - to a select group of extremely confidential and loving Christians. Depend upon them to hold you accountable and not let you justify yourself when sin raises it's ugly head in your life. Do not seek to vindicate yourself. Chambers writes at the end of the March 23rd entry: "You will never cease to be the most amazed person on earth at what God has done for you on the inside."

Charles Gabriel, the author of nearly 8,000 songs, was a common man like you and I. He was raised on a farm in Iowa and learned about music from his father. He lived a somewhat normal life, but was affected by sin as we all are. He was married twice, his first marriage ending in divorce and suffered many setbacks in his life. Yet, because he chose not to conceal or justify his moments of rebellion he was able to pen such wonderful hymns as "Send the Light", "Calling the Prodigal", "Higher Ground", "He Lifted Me", and "I Stand Amazed." It is the last song I wish to close this post with. Just a couple of verses from his song and the incredible words of the chorus:

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene,

And wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.

He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory His face I at last shall see,

'Twill be my joy through the ages to sing of His love for me.

How marvelous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be:

How marvelous! How wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me!

I Stand Amazed, Charles Gabriel, 1905