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Live Transparently!
"Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light,
so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God"
so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God"
Early Christians were sometimes persecuted for 'cannibalism'
and 'incest' by sincere and upright persons who believed rumours arising
from a misunderstanding of the words used in celebrating the Lord's Supper,
and because Christians called each other – even married couples – 'brother'
and 'sister'.
Yes, there will always be some risk of misunderstanding,
but it is our responsibility to keep it to an absolute minimum.
Money and sex are the two particular areas that easily
arouse suspicion, because of their terrible abuse in our world, even among
sincere souls in the church. It is important therefore to go the extra
mile to avoid creating suspicion, not from fear of criticism, but for
the sake of what Christians represent.
"we are
taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but
also in the eyes of men".
It is not enough to be honest! One must also be seen
to be honest by the outsider, for the sake of this holy gospel that we represent.
particularly sensitive area, easily contaminated
with suspicion, is relationships between the sexes. For this reason the Word of God states:
"That each one of you know how to take a wife for himself in holiness and honour..."
(1 Thes.4:4 RSV, read the rest).
(1 Thes.4:4 RSV, read the rest).
Young Timothy is instructed to treat:
"older women as mothers,
and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity" (1
Tim.5:2).
We do need to cultivate relationships, including
those with the opposite sex. But, tender feelings cry for confidentiality
in a relationship. And this very secrecy, so natural to a relationship
in which intimate feelings of affection are developing, is itself a potential
breeding ground for problems in self-discipline. We, to easily, loose
our safeguards when the fellowship of others is excluded from the growth
of one-to-one friendship between sexes.
All the confidence that we may have in an individual
does not mean confidence in our common human nature; that so easily turns
a good thing into a bad. Avoid exclusivity in a relationship outside of
marriage! Exclusivity is part of marriage.
A refusal to shut out others from a relationship
that may even be heading toward marriage will really help to keep that
precious relationship open and useful to the Lord, and prevent that pre-maturity
which robs and brings shame. If God is in it, let it be open to the light!
the need for transparency must not lead
us back into the naiveté of spiritual infancy. There is a limit
to transparency. As part 3 explained, we must not lay ourselves open to
untrustworthy persons - but we are to act straightforwardly, without deviousness.
Openness does not mean telling everything to everybody - pouring out one's
heart or mind to others for the sake of sincerity or openness. That is
the foolishness of spiritual infancy.
Transparency means demonstrating that one's life
is not a threat to others; that there are no hidden motives that might
deprive or hurt those with whom we have to do. It also means trusting
others on issues to the extent of their reliability. The goal that we
are to aim for is to live in relationships that can handle complete transparency.
At times, that may even mean being vulnerable toward another for the sake
of communicating love, paying a price to reach out with healing grace.
But, in all things, wisdom must deal with reality,
by balancing these four important practical principles.
The above four principles of conduct:
boldness – vigilance – distrust – transparency
– are qualities of practical wisdom. Wisdom is always practical, because wisdom is problem orientated.
Knowledge without wisdom is like a gold ring in a
pig's snout. It is wasted. Wisdom is the life-application of knowledge!
For this reason, the answer to a problem is invariably found in the problem
itself. Therefore, to run away from a problem is to run away from its
solution also!
A piece of history from the Bible illustrates these
four principles, and how the answers to life's problems
are composed of the constituents of those problems.
In the reign of emperor Xerxes of Persia, a genocide
of the Jewish people throughout the vast territories of the empire was
imminent (from India to Ethiopia). Nothing could prevent it, not even
the emperor himself, for a law of the Persian empire when once signed
could not be revoked even by the ruler who issued it. The problem needed
an urgent answer, or hundreds of thousands of men, women and children
would die, and those who escaped would be brought to ruin. Was the situation
hopeless?
In the book named after
his adopted daughter, Esther, the drama is spelled out. Haman, the evil
mind behind the planned genocide, had originated his plan because he found
Mordecai's refusal to bow before him offensive, and in his pride needed
retribution. So the evil plan was hatched against Mordecai's people.
Now note, as this problem
had initiated in reaction to Mordecai, so its solution would also! Esther
had been chosen as new queen after an empire wide beauty contest and her
race was not known.
these four principles above are echoed in Esther's approach to the problem.
By law, even the Medo-Persian emperor himself could not stop it!
does she then respond?
| boldness |
In Esther's approach to the emperor she expresses her attitude as –
"if I perish, I perish" (Es.4:14).
|
| caution |
The Bible says that –
"Esther had not revealed her nationality and family background" (Es.2:20).
|
| distrust |
Having not even seen the
emperor for a month, Esther did not raise her problem immediately, in spite of its desperate urgency.
Distrusting even his loyalty to herself, she simply invites him to dinner,
and then, at that meal, again invites him to dinner. She tries to
create the best possible climate for the best possible answer, before
she asked – with what incredible results! |
| transparency |
Note also, her openness of character.
Mordecai had previously overheard an assassination plot and told Esther. When she reported it to the emperor, the Bible says that she did it – "giving credit" to Mordecai (Es.2:22).
Her honesty made it easy for people to trust her. She even invited the emperor's favourite officer, the evil Haman, with his majesty, and made the request for the lives of her people in his presence. |
such a victory, that the victims become the victors!
"For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honour. ...
And many people of other nationalities became Jews" (Es.8:16-17).
And many people of other nationalities became Jews" (Es.8:16-17).
story shows us the 'how' of a desperate problem.
When God seems to have left us alone (Remember, God
is not even mentioned in the whole book of Esther), and our problems seem
beyond help – the practical principles of this wisdom will open the way
forward – if we face the problem!
If you are unsure of what to do in your own circumstance,
about how to apply these principles, ask God! He said so! (Jam.1:2-17).
Be strong therefore – and the Lord will be with you.
These truths are for our lifestyle – not simply for
special crises and specific problems.
The Proverb's quote at the very start of this article,
of wisdom personified, assures us of God's design for our lives if we live accordingly:
"Long life is in her right
hand; in her left hand are riches and honour" (Prov.3:16).
Wise conduct is the qualification. These principles
are for our Christian conduct in this present world,
of which Jesus said – "Night
is coming, when no man can work" (Jn.9:4).
other words, our opportunities are not forever,
opportunities to practice these truths and learn wisdom will end. Then,
our accountability for the results of practicing these principles, or otherwise, will begin.
Copyright © Lloyd Thomas 2000-2011. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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