Get on with It

Isaiah 65:17-25; Malachi 4:1-2a; Luke 21:5-19; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Central Baptist Church—Lowesville, VA

18 November 2007

It is easy to become distracted. Our nation has industries built for the express purpose of offering distractions at an increasing rate. From television and movies to electronic gaming, to theme parks, concerts, and festivals, we offer distractions from the concerns of living at whatever price one is willing to pay. Sometimes the price is more than we recognize. If we are not careful with our entertainment and distraction, it may take over the center stage of living. Are we at risk of becoming too distracted to worry with serving the One we claim as Lord? Are we still concerned with fulfilling God’s will?

When Isaiah spoke of the coming Day of Yahweh, it was not to distract the people from the issues of living life under Yahweh’s will. He wrote to encourage and remind them of the ultimate value in following the gracious direction and purposes of Yahweh. Isaiah was tasked with sharing a message that no one wanted to hear—no one except the enemy invaders, that is. He repeatedly warned the nation of an impending doom and that Yahweh was sending them into exile. They would not be able to avoid it with the help of Egypt or any other forces. This was Yahweh’s plan to bring them around to serving God as they should already have been doing.

In proclaiming the vision of restoration and a whole new created environment for life, Isaiah was reminding them of the hope inherent in following Yahweh’s will. The plans for exile would not dash the hopes of Israel and Judah. Rather, they would prepare a remnant for becoming the redeemed people of Yahweh. Exile would remind them that serving Yahweh was more important than their focus on wealth, power, sovereignty, and comfort. They were called to service, after all, not to dominion. They knew about God. They knew Yahweh’s instructions, will, and identity. What they lacked was the carrying out Yahweh’s will above their own. How much do we need to know before we can fulfill God’s will?

At a BGAV^[1] breakout session this week, we were reminded again that faith is not about gaining information about God and the Bible. Faith is a question of faithful action. Islam phrases it in terms of submission to the will of Allah. That is not far from the Biblical sense of faith. We know there is a difference between knowing and doing. We are well aware of our own shortcomings in living up to the life of faith we claim. Authentic faith requires action that flows from our knowledge and understanding. How does our faith display more than learning about God?

Malachi did not write of the coming Day of Yahweh as a distraction. He spoke of this day of blessing as reminder of the blessings of faithfulness to Yahweh. The nation was forsaking their reverence for Yahweh, seeking after their own interests. They needed reminding of the fuller vision of life and Yahweh’s dreams and plans. Malachi called them to acting out their faith because of Yahweh’s character and will for their future. He wanted them to live according to their claims. What will we do with our knowledge of God?

Let me be the first to say that studying the Bible and theology is important. We don’t know enough about the Bible, and the character of God in Christ Jesus. I dedicated my life to teaching and discipling others through learning to understand the Bible and God in Christ Jesus. I chose to teach seminary students and church members theology and how to understand and study the Bible. As a Baptist, I grew up with all kinds of programs designed to teach Bible and theology. It is tempting to look at our Baptist heritage and reduce faith to knowledge. That is an unfortunate distraction. Too many of us have substituted faith for Scriptural or doctrinal education. We forget that faith and salvation are much more than “a ticket to heaven.” They are the means to live the reality of God’s will here and now. How will our lives display more than knowledge about God the hope of a future reality?

In Jesus’ day, many were distracted by the structures of religion, failing to focus their lives on serving the God they claimed. They were enamored with buildings. They looked upon the Jerusalem temple with and awe they forgot to direct toward the One to whom the temple was erected. Jesus’ response was to remind them of the temporary nature of the magnificent structure. Once the trappings of their fervor were gone, what would be left of their faith and devotion?

Jesus did not want the disciples led astray by concerns over a day of battle against the doom that would descend upon Jerusalem. In an echo of Isaiah’ and Jeremiah’s message, they were to accept the destruction as inevitable. Jesus gave them warning to help them avoid distractions of pressing concerns with maintaining the structures that would pass away. They needed to concern themselves with being ready to testify to their faith and confidence in God. God would grant them the words for witness. They simple needed to be ready and faithful. Are we ready to trust God in witnessing to a world in need?

Many would have us believe that Baptists are losing ground because of improper or inadequate knowledge. They would have us think that by claiming the right answers we can become the church as Jesus intended. After all, Jesus went about preaching and teaching. Yet after a mere three years of public ministry, Jesus left the disciples and crowds with a meager store of knowledge. He sent the disciples out to minister on various occasions even before the end of those three years. He was not as concerned with knowledge as he was with action. He wanted disciples who would minister God’s grace, not learn all the right answers. How do we allow faith to become action above the distractions of life?

Paul addressed the issue of idleness in faith. Oh, he was talking about more than faith. He was concerned with some who were so distracted by reflecting on pie in the sky that they failed to get on with living according to their proclaimed faith. They were expecting Christ’s return. Why bother going to work? Paul reminded them of his own behavior. He worked in the marketplace and in witness to the gospel of Christ. He gave them an example. He expected them to follow it—to get on with living faith. Are we in the business of living according to God’s will and announcing the gospel of Christ Jesus?

Judah and Israel were distracted with impending national doom. Many Jews were distracted by the material and social structures of faith. Some of the Thessalonians were distracted with a heavenly future. As Baptists and believers, we have been distracted by comfort, politics, education, advancement, family, grief, culture, history, tradition, and institutions of faith. We have grown lax in our comfort and sense of accomplishment. In the process, we have forgotten our responsibility with the message of faith, salvation, and our call to mission.

We don’t need more Bible studies. We need Biblical action. We don’t need more institutions—we need people on a mission. We don’t need more support groups—we need disciples who will support others with faith turned to action. We don’t need another program—we need to embrace the cause of Christ. As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, how will our thanks become dedication to get on with advancing the cause of Christ Jesus? Will we display thanks to God by the way we live, or will we remain too distracted to find the time?

—©2007 Christopher B. Harbin

¹ Baptist General Association of Virginia.