How Will I Know Which Word Is in Season?
Revelation 5:5-6
“The lion and the lamb, though very diverse kinds of creatures, yet have each their peculiar excellencies. The lion excels in strength, and in the majesty of his appearance and voice; the lamb excels in meekness and patience, besides the excellent nature of the creature as good for food, and yielding that which is fit for our clothing, and being suitable to be offered in sacrifice to God. But we see that Christ is in the text compared to both, because the diverse excellencies of both wonderfully meet in him.” Jonathan Edwards
In preaching on this passage, Jonathan Edwards celebrated the “diverse excellencies” of Christ. Those “diverse excellencies” are an infinite mystery! Maturing Christians likewise develop a consistent display of virtues appropriate to every moment.
For many years, I was aware of the concept of “situational ethics,” and trained to think very poorly of the concept. These were people, it seemed, who had no set of absolutes but felt that everything depended on the set of circumstances an individual faced. Such a morality seemed to fit our post-modern world, in which everyone was left to decide “truth for me” as opposed to “truth for you.” Well, the Bible certainly asserts many immutable moral absolutes, and no one lived them more perfectly than Jesus Christ. However, Jesus also dealt very differently with types of people depending on their circumstances. He was perfect in every setting.
“Only the Spirit of Christ living in us can mold our character and elicit the perfect virtues each moment of each day demands.”
When the situation called for compassion, he overflowed with compassion. When the situation called for courage, he was as bold as a lion. When dealing with little children, he was tender and approachable. When dealing with a fragile sinner like the woman who wet his feet with her hair and poured perfume on them, he protected her. When addressing a set of overzealous apostles who wanted to call down fire to destroy a Samaritan village, he rebuked them quickly. When dealing with a widow who was burying her only child, his heart went out to her. When viewing the hustle and bustle and corruption of the temple courtyard and its moneychangers, he was a picture of controlled rage and the strength of Samson. He could recline at table, comfortably eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners. He could fast for forty days, in total control of his appetites. He spoke eloquently for hours teaching on the kingdom of heaven, but then was completely silent at his trials.
Life is staggeringly complex when we mix in human cultures, histories, personalities, heart conditions, and needs. Every day is different than the last, and every sinner has different diseases of the soul, but there are yet timeless unchanging standards established in the word of God. How could there be such a perfect man, who did everything well (Mark 7:37)? And how in the world can messed-up people like us possibly attain to the various virtues that a variety of people and circumstances calls for in our lives? How can we be bold and yet tender, patient and yet decisive, strong, and yet sensitive? How can we know what this or that person needs at this precise moment? Only the Spirit of Christ living in us can mold our character and elicit the perfect virtues each moment of each day demands. May Christ perfect himself in us and give us supernatural wisdom to be as virtuous as he was day after day!
