Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

This is a terrific concise statement of required godliness before an all-knowing Holy God. However, the display of these qualities can function like a stumbling block for many. Let me attempt to explain what I mean. Evangelical believers take seriously Jesus’ words, “You must be born again” (John 3:8). They understand from that the universal need for a personal, mystical, internal, heart-level conversion experience where one becomes spiritually empowered to no longer live under the rule of the NATURAL SIN NATURE—counting themselves as “dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). But then, such a believer may face a contradiction when they meet people along their way who demonstrate the essential social and moral qualities of a Christian, but have no regard for God, the Bible, and have never had anything like a “born again” experience. The puzzle escalates when this person also encounters a Christian (even church leader) who claims to have been “born again” yet has clearly engaged in some crooked, deceitful, or hurtful business. Now the observer has a problem to sort out—a discrepancy within the church community. Based on this discrepancy, this person will find it easy to prefer living next door to a morally clean, socially pleasant, non-Christian than a “born-again Christian” who is dishonest and difficult to get along with. What’s going on here?

Let’s walk through the checklist that Micah gives:

1. ACT JUSTLY. OK—that’s relatively easy to rate. Most people have a clear standard of fairness, honesty, and justice. The Bible is full of insight to show that God disapproves of crooked business (e.g., 6:10-12).


2. LOVE MERCY. Kindness, helpfulness, generosity, and forgiveness are attractive qualities that can be demonstrated in measure without a conversion experience or a sound Biblical faith.


3. WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD. Now here is the point at which the checklist can fall apart—on all three sides—the observer’s side, the side of the one being observed, and God’s side.
   
   
   • (A) On the observer’s side, it must be understood that no human is entirely qualified to judge the closeness and quality of another person’s walk with God with absolute accuracy. However, the Bible clearly offers a list of signs to look for, evidences to judge by, or fruits that demonstrate what is growing on the inside of a person—thus, “The fruit of the Spirit is…” (Galatians 5:22ff). Furthermore, the requirement is to “walk humbly with your God”—not just “walk humbly,” or in a way that appears humble with other people. And the object of this walk or lifestyle is not just to do so with a god, but with THE GOD OF THE BIBLE. This relationship is to be deeply personal—“your God.”
   
   
   • (B) On the side of the one being observed, more deception and duplicity are possible—allowing the worst kind—self-deception. This is where a person becomes so convinced of his own goodness and righteousness that he concludes that’s all that matters—that “all those other bad people out there may need God and His provision of salvation, but not me. After all, I have chosen on my own to be totally honest and I spend a lot of time helping people. Why should I worry about church and all that “born again” stuff? If anyone should be allowed into God’s heaven, it should be me.” Is this evidence of that person walking humbly with God? Actually, it’s more like a flat disagreement with God based on the opposite of humility.
   
   
   • (C) On God’s side, the entire matter has no blurred or illusive edges whatsoever. He knows absolutely. “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).