Idealism
August 15, 1999
Dear Friends:
Sometimes, when we speak of someone as being "idealistic", it can be a backhanded compliment. On the one hand, we are saying that they have principles which are noble, pure and correct. On the other hand, we are saying that they are not firmly grounded in reality. We might even state it more firmly that this person is a little crazy; a Don Quixote who is chasing after windmills.
When it comes to worldly things, the consequences of such an analysis are not so bad. However, when we are speaking of spiritual things, the consequences can be vitally important.
The New Testament is a book of ideals. "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (NIV) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Can we write-off these admonitions of the New Testament as not firmly grounded in reality?
How do we balance between the ideals presented in the New Testament and the "realities" of the world in which we live? The answer quite simply is that we don't – or at least we shouldn't.
God doesn't want us to find the easy answers. He doesn't want us to settle for anything less than His truth. All too often we will find the easy answer and be tempted to implement the quick fix. The man of faith will patiently wait for the right answer.
King Saul, in 1 Samuel 13, waits for seven days for Samuel in Gilgal all the while his army is scattering to the four winds. In a state of desperation, he forces himself to make the sacrifices reserved for the priests. The rebuke of Samuel is swift and decisive. "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time." (NIV)
When the Egyptians had the Israelites with their backs to the sea, God provided an answer. When Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, God provided an answer. When mankind was hopelessly in need of a redeemer, God provided an answer.
Idealistic? Maybe. The right thing to do? Definitely!
May God provide you with His answers in the coming week!
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