The Praise of Men

. . . but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. -1 Thess. 2:4

The Apostle Paul speaks within the context of his office as an Apostle. As he was given to build up the Church through clear admonitions, it is essential that he not compromise in word or deed; that he not allow the opinions of others govern his teaching, but rather continue in what Adam taught his children. The same holds for Pastors in the Church to this very hour.

The praise of men will never fall upon a crucified criminal, but the opinions of men see only horror and contempt in the Cross. So it is the chief aim of the Apostle to keep the crucified and risen Christ at the fore as One Who in love sought not the praise of men, but their contempt so that he might bestow on them the precise and best object of praise, namely God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who by His Holy Spirit has taught us that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

It is important, however, not to place the Apostle’s self-description on such a level that it governs every vocation to the extent one may not in good conscience seek to please another person, or seek to win approval. Elsewise the entire entertainment and political spectra, for example, would be under strict condemnation, which in many circles they are.

The office of the Apostle and those who follow in his path, being joined to the Head of the Church, sanctify all vocations, and thereby put into place for one and all the parameters that govern day to day behavior. An entertainer seeks praise. A politician seeks praise. Yes. Neither is committed in their particular stations to preach the Gospel. Both are remanded to the custody of humility and offering praise where praise ultimately is due.

Here I am addressing Christians who struggle with applying their gifts in the world when their gifts truly do invite praise from others. It is not as if the Christian enters into this for the sole purpose of gaining the praise of men, or that the Christian is unaware that all things have been given in Christ. But the Christian serves his neighbor by honing skills and displaying them so that the neighbor may both be served and have double opportunity to heap praise, first upon Creator, and then upon His creation of which the epitome is man.

Without question, because of sin there will always be struggles within Christians as their flesh is constrained by the love of Christ into Whom they are baptized; Who gives identity not only in this life but in the life of the world to come. And yet, because the gift of Life in every way sanctifies all that is taken out into creation, a Christian called to entertain, to do exceedingly well in any sport or business, or even to hanker for votes, may run the race and rest in Christ at the same time.
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Teach Us to Number

So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom. – Psalm 90:12

Well, look at that! The LORD of time and eternity has taught you to pray in such a manner that you ask Him to teach you to number your days.

This He has done, in answer to your prayer. You have a calendar, and you have a clock. Both are tools to mark out the past and the future as you live your days. Both serve as a way of governing perspective and ordering the good works you have been given to do as a baptized child of God.

They are a way of looking back to how God has graciously intervened so many times on behalf of His beloved creation, of which you are a part He does not neglect in the least. You look back on your own time with fear and trembling, because of sin and death.

The calendar we know today has a long and extensive history. It is rooted in the biblical texts, beginning with the Day of Creation. The Book of Genesis states clearly how old Adam was when he died. It does not use smoke, mirrors, or other twists of philosophy.

It is normal days, just like you see every day, that transpired while Adam and Eve lived in fear and trembling and hoped for salvation in the Christ who was to come at the appointed time and apply His days in such a manner as to win salvation for all poor sinners, Good Friday through Easter in particular being days of note.

You see the same sun each day that Adam and Eve saw. As a heart of wisdom can only be created from Above by the same Word that created the heavens and the Earth, that heart is yours because you’ve been baptized into His name and His works on your behalf.

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The Head

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited us and accomplished redemption for His people." -Luke 1:58

It may seem strange and out of place to observe with thanksgiving the beheading of John the Baptizer as we do this day. The separation of head from body is an experience anyone of reasonable mind and spirit considers horrifying.

But if one is to take seriously the Commandment to have no other gods than the One true God (which Commandment is indeed in effect from the begging and into eternity), then how are you by natural birth different than someone who was born without a head?

It is for a headless world that the Holy Son of God, Christ Jesus, came down from heaven and assumed the flesh of death while retaining His pure holiness, so that He would rescue it by His innocent suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection; the same Christ to Whom John the Baptizer pointed and cried aloud most clearly: "Behold the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world!"

Since He takes away sin, He takes away death. Since He takes away death, He takes away fear and all that would harm, even if it means literally losing ones' head to the executioner.

Much can be said about how John the Baptizer was faithful in all things, yet suffered ignominy, hardship, and even a sudden, bitter end. Since you are joined to Christ Jesus along with John the Baptizer, it is ultimately Christ, your Head, who will sustain you in this life and draw you in tender love to Himself. This, despite all evidence around you to the contrary. For it is the Maker of all things Who is acting for you! + + +