George Of The Jungle

Do you remember that bungling cartoon hero "George of the jungle?" His claim to fame was that he was constantly smashing into trees or tripping over roots. "Watch out for that tree" is the mantra we used to shout at the TV as he invariably wrapped himself around a pole. Well, while that may be funny as a cartoon character, that same behavior in a Christian is not nearly as amusing.

Of course, I'm not talking about Christians smashing into trees, I speak more of those that are constantly 'tripping' and 'falling' into sinful behaviors. You know who they are... you may be one yourself. Chosen by God to receive divine grace, called according to his purposes, drawn down the aisle to give their live to Christ followed by a beautiful though brief 'fireball of enthusiasm' and then SMASH! right into a snare of sin because they weren't looking. They climb out of the pit, resume their journey through the jungle of life and then SMASH! the cycle repeats. Endlessly. Perhaps you (or your friends) are sideline witnesses of this train-wreck and are shouting "WATCH OUT FOR THAT... TREE!" Perhaps you helpfully ask them "didn't you see that coming?" Or perhaps it's more like "dude, you've GOT to stop doing that!"

Regardless of what the sinful behavior is, regardless of how we think they should alter (altar, hehe) their behavior this problem has existed across all time. To make my point, consider my study passage today...

2 Peter 1:5-11 (NIV)
⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶ and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷ and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸ For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. ¹⁰ Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, ¹¹ and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

My emphasis is actually on V10 but in the interest of proper context we must consider at least 5-->11. In this passage, Peter is exhorting the believers to intentionally choose to make every effort to add virtues to their life. And yes, I do believe that we can add virtues to our life through application of intention. Intention alone will not suffice, that's why Peter stresses the concept of 'making every effort.'

Beginning at the common point of all Christians, faith, Peter goes on to encourage us not to stop there! Undeveloped faith is like a blind-fold in life in which case you will wander about aimlessly smashing into trees and falling into pits. Instead, we are to add...

Goodness. Goodness is synonymous with 'virtuous.' This is 'moral excellency' and it is a natural result of our desire to please God. Doing what is right, not what is expedient. Goodness forms the underpinnings of the Breastplate of Righteousness (spiritual armor) that helps to protect us against the attacks of satan. (perhaps it is supposed to be a capital 'S' but I'm feeling antagonistic!)

Knowledge. Knowledge is one of the most important ways in which we develop our faith and grow in Christ. I don't mean the accumulation of meaningless trivia. I mean the focused study of God's Holy Word through which He reveals His will for our lives. This is the by-product of giving our minds to God. As we develop our knowledge of Scripture, we are being armed with a mighty weapon, the Sword of The Spirit and we are fitted with The Belt of Truth. Hiding God's word in our hearts and in our minds prepares us to meet the challenges of everyday life and it is knowledge that enables us to be alert and watchful. It is knowledge that allows us to identify 'trees' in our path and the pits into which the unaware so easily fall.

Self-control. The unbelieving are controlled by their own nature. Their passions and appetites control them. Sadly, this is true also of some believers and lack of self-control is one of the primary contributing factors to how easily and frequently we are ensnared by the traps of satan. Without self-control we willingly injure ourselves, damage our testimonies and separate ourselves from relationship with God. This may be one of the hardest things to add to our faith and I believe it is no coincidence that it is at the end of the list of 'the fruits of the Spirit.' Self-control requires sacrifice and discipline, exercise and effort. This may sound silly but I just have to tell you. I was at a retreat this weekend and found myself with a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup in my hand. I eagerly tore open the wrapper and took the first bite. It's deliciousness washed over me like an ocean wave and the pleasure receptors in my brain started firing on every cylinder. And then I realized... I'm practicing temple stewardship and trying to lose weight. So I turned to my friends and said "I wonder how many calories..." To which someone replied "280." Suddenly I had a choice to make. I could indulge in the luxurious goodness of that candy or I could call out the self-control so that I may luxuriate in the richness of pleasing God. So... with great effort and sadness, I took one small 'mouse nibble' of that temptation and threw the remainder away. Okay, okay, I probably should have foregone the nibble too but... do you get the point? That was HARD! But The Spirit convicts and The Spirit provides the power to resist. And it is from there that self-control is developed.

Perseverance. Oh this list is just getting harder and harder. The willingness to do what is 'right' despite the circumstances and in the face of opposition, that's perseverance. By the dogged determination to do what is right (goodness), to pursue a deep understanding of God's will (knowledge) and to subdue our nature (self-control), from there springs forth perseverance. Look, a long-distance runner doesn't run 26 miles the first time out. The marathon requires practice, patience and endurance. Each day, gains are made in these areas by persistant practice. Over time, the race may be run and even won! But if the athlete stops practicing because it's hard or because he's hungry or because it's raining or for whatever reason, he will most certainly lose the race and there is a high probability he will not finish. Worse yet, dejected, he may not even start. We must each receive with humility the discipline of perseverance. I admit that it's a bit like praying for patience but there it is. To quote my friend Amy... "I'm just saying..."

Godliness. I really don't think this is about being an ascetic, about eschewing all the pleasures of life. I believe this is about a life of piety. It's about giving our hearts to God and pursuing the realization of our divine design. We're made in HIS image. We're HIS creation. That means that we have an obligation of reverence towards God. It is from this realization that a pursuit of Godliness may be enjoined.

Brotherly kindness. Kindness is the Christian behavior that we exhibit towards others. I believe that if we practice brotherly kindness then we live a life of caring concern for the needs of others. Acts of charity and compassion are perfect examples. We set aside our selfishness and reach out to others as though we are the hands of Christ in order that His work may be done in THEIR life.

Love. Ah, love. If kindess is caring concern for the needs of others then love is desiring the highest good for others. God demonstrated his love to us (sinners) through Jesus Christ. As disciples of Christ we are to exhibit the same kind of love towards others that they may see in us HIS FACE and be drawn to their own relationship with God.

Now, having said all of that, we are to do these things to make our election sure. Not that these acts in any way add to our salvation which is already completed by the justifying grace of Jesus Christ. Rather, these 'virtues' are evidence, proof-positive, a warranty if you will of the genuine nature of our calling by God to be his child. Peter says that if we do these things (add these virtues to our faith) then we will never fall. This doesn't mean we will not sin, it means that we will with every fiber of our being resist temptation and choose not to sin. That when we do sin, we will be immediately convicted and presently restored through our right response to such conviction.

I feel like there is much more to be said on this passage but alas, I have to conclude this entry and engage in my earthly responsibilities to my employer.

I pray for you this day that you will be filled with His Spirit, that you will yield to His presence in your life and that you will live out this passage in your life.

WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE!

Shalom,

Carl