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Chariot January 2008 - Norm Wakefield
To those of you
who have emailed or called to encourage me about this series on The
Curse of the Standard Bearers, thank you. I'm also grateful for those
of you who have expressed questions. Please remember that this is a
series. If this is the first article you have read, please read parts one
and two at www.spiritofelijah.com/chariot.
Thus far I've only begun to discuss the differences between the
Standard Bearer and the True
Image Bearer. Obviously, I can't address every situation or answer all
the questions associated with this topic in one article.
In this article I will present some similarities and
contrasts between the Standard
Bearers and the True Image
Bearers. There's a fine line to be drawn when we consider people who
set standards in their lives. There are similarities as well as
differences between the Standard and True Image
Bearers. Both may appear intolerant and be unflinching on certain
issues, yet appear tolerant to others. The differences lie in the
motivation of their hearts, the nearness of the relationship, the source
of their standards, and the fruit of their lives.
Similarities of a Standard
Bearer and a True Image Bearer
A Standard Bearer and a True
Image Bearer may have many beliefs and characteristics in common. The
Scribes and Pharisees, of whom we read in the gospels, were
extremely dedicated people. Had you asked a person of that day who
was the most spiritual person he knew, he probably would have named a Pharisee. Pose
the same question today and there should be no surprise if someone names a
Standard Bearer. They have many
good qualities which reveal an admirable dedication and knowledge of God.
They are sterling examples of commitment in their churches. They
often become leaders in their churches because of their commitment and
obedience.
Consider the similarities of these two categories of people in the church.
Both may...
�
Believe in the inerrancy and
sufficiency of Scripture
�
Say they believe salvation is by
grace alone and by faith alone
�
Be committed to the
advancement of the kingdom of God
�
Be concerned for lost souls
�
Be generous in their giving
�
Say they love the truth
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Say loving God and others is the
greatest commandment of God
�
Practice daily prayer and Bible
study
�
Hold a very high value on
sanctification
�
Have standards or practices on
various issues of lifestyle they believe to be an expression of godliness
There could be
many other similarities of doctrine and agreement on Bible facts. One
might think people with this many commonalities would really
click. They might at first, but eventually their differences surface.
Jesus' attitude and life constantly irked the Pharisees and vice
versa. The same thing happens today.
Contrasts between a
Standard Bearer and a True Image Bearer
Although the True
Image Bearers have many similar beliefs, commitments, and standards
with the Standard Bearers, often their
attitude and the way they live out their faith isn't the same. Just like Jesus and the Pharisees held to the inerrancy of
Scripture, the resurrection of the dead, and the vital importance of
sanctification, the primary difference was the way they lived them out.
The Scribes and Pharisees (the Standard
Bearers of Jesus' day) elevated their interpretations
of Scripture to the same level as the inerrant Word of God.
For instance, they felt compelled to correct others for not keeping their
interpretations. One example of this would be their reproof of Jesus for
not observing the ceremonial washing of hands (Luke 11:38). They
considered those who didn't live like they did to be heretics. That's why
the Standard Bearers rejected
and crucified Jesus. You'll notice many similarities between the Pharisees
of Jesus' day and the Standard
Bearers of our day.
Here are a few distinctions between the Standard
Bearer and the True Image Bearer.
Please keep in mind that these are generalizations and there may be some
exceptions.
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The Standard Bearer
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The True Image Bearer
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He/she
lives by standards (Col. 2:16-23).
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He/she
lives by the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25).
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He
lives to gain man's approval (John 12:43).
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He
lives confident of God's approval in Christ (Eph. 3:12; Heb.
4:14-16).
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He
emphasizes making the right choices to
gain relationship with Christ (Phil. 3:2,4-6).
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He
emphasizes making right choices out
of relationship with Christ (Phil. 3:3).
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He
expects of others what he expects of himself - conformity to
standards for acceptance (Col. 2:16-23).
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He
gives grace and forgiveness, yet holds firmly to God's Word. (Col.
3:13, 16).
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He
uses people to gain significance. If a person advances his name and
significance, he may flatter, praise, and accept him (Prov. 29:5).
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He
is grateful to God and others. Praise and compliments are true and
genuine with gratefulness given to God (Eph. 5:20).
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He
may condemn, judge, slander, and cut off those who don't live by his
standards (Matt. 12:14) or he may demand the right to control the
child until the child cuts him off (he appears blameless and the
child appears rebellious).
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He
forgives and forbears with those who are different and/or who offend
or revile him (Col. 3:13).
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He
makes standards that are not explicitly given in Scriptures (like
the Scribes and Pharisees) and promotes them as spiritual wisdom
(Col. 2:20-23).
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Boasting
only in the righteousness of Christ before God, his standards are
determined by (and flow out of) Jesus' standard: love for God and
others (Gal. 5:14).
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He
is proud of his standard bearing and covers, denies, or lies about
his faults (Matt. 23:27).
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He
glories in Jesus and the cross, and confesses his sin and
inconsistencies (Gal. 6:14; 1 John 1:9).
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He
is jealous of those who are free in Christ or those who appear to be
more significant (Gal. 2:4; James 3:16).
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He
praises God and encourages those who are free in Christ and blessed
by God (2 Cor. 3:17-18; 1 Pet. 2:16).
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He
unknowingly or consciously tries to control his children to protect
his name and get what he feels he deserves (2 Pet. 2:2).
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He
trusts God's Spirit to control his children with the purpose of
giving him opportunities to love and serve (2 Cor. 3:17; Eph. 5:2).
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He
may motivate others with praise and flattery. Or he may use fear of
rejection and shame to apply pressure to conform (Gal. 2:12).
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He
motivates others by encouraging them to draw near and hold fast to
Jesus (Gal. 2:15-16).
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He
believes most suffering and trials are because of failure to keep
standards, and success and prosperity are because God is pleased
with performance (Luke 13:4).
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He
believes all suffering, trials, and blessings are sent from God to
reveal the power of a relationship with Jesus and give practice to
drawing near and holding fast to Jesus (Heb. 4:14-16; 1 Pet.
4:12-16).
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God judges what He
sees by situational tests
God knows the
intentions and motives of the heart (Heb. 4:12-13). We're the ones who don't
see ourselves clearly. That's why God often uses situations to reveal what
He sees. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "I hear that divisions
exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions
among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you" (1
Cor. 11:18-19). From these verses and their context, we can deduce that
one of the reasons God does not bring people to see issues or interpret
Scripture the same in a family, church, or community is for the purpose of
making it evident who is a Standard
Bearer and who is a True Image
Bearer. God could easily bring everyone to the same mind on issues if
He wished. The divisive issue in the Corinthian church was head coverings
for women. Paul's point was this: the division is necessary to reveal who
is motivated by love, the glory of God, and the benefit of others rather
than selfish gain (1 Cor. 10:31-33). How can one tell who has been
accepted by God? It isn't by where one stands on a given issue.
You can tell by their
fruit
Jesus said you
could tell an impostor or the genuine believer by his fruit (Matt.
7:16-20). The discernable differences between the Standard
Bearer and the True Image Bearer
is in the fruit of their lives. Again, a chart may be helpful to
communicate these differences.
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The Standard Bearer
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The True Image Bearer
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What
God and the immediate family see and what others see is different.
Lack of integrity (Matt. 23:25).
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What
God and the immediate family see and what others see is the same.
Integrity (1 Tim. 3:4-5).
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He
lives in fear of others discovering his faults and inconsistencies (Prov.
10:9).
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He
lives securely without fear (Prov. 10:9).
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If
he can't control his children/parents, he gossips or slanders them
as he shifts the blame away from himself (Gal. 5:15; Matt. 15:19).
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He
refuses to discuss the faults of those who make him look bad, as he
trusts God to take care of them and his reputation (2 Cor. 12:7).
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He
gets angry because he's out of control-his idols are not providing
what he desires to accomplish his purposes-gain man's approval or
his happiness (Col. 3:8).
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He
is confident that God is working out His purposes through those who
are not fitting into his plans
(Col. 3:15).
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Others
feel unloved and rejected if they don't have the same interpretation
of Scripture.
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Others
feel loved and accepted even if they don't have the same
interpretation of Scripture.
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The
people closest to them live in fear of displeasing them, hurting
them, or making them angry.
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People
feel safe to make mistakes, discuss differences, and grow in
sincerity.
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The
people closest to them feel trapped and compelled to pretend.
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People
don't feel like they have to pretend.
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Their
lack of integrity breeds disrespect in those closest to them. (Those
who don't know the dynamics in the closest relationships may respect
them).
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Their
integrity breeds respect by others (except for those who they won't
allow to set the standards for them).
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The
people closest to them are afraid to question their standards and
express differences.
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Others
are free to discuss their standards and express their differences.
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Some
closest to them feel they never measure up. The compliant become
favored.
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Others
are loved and encouraged to grow in love with Jesus.
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Some
may feel hopeless about the relationship improving in the future.
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People
are hopeful the relationship will grow closer in the future.
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Some
people want to escape the pressure and avoid the relationship;
others are dependent on their acceptance and allow their lives to be
controlled by fear.
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People
are free to follow the Spirit's leading and are drawn to the life of
Jesus in them.
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Others
are hindered in discovering who they are as sinners and/or in Jesus
because they are satisfied with allowing them to set their
identities.
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Others
discover who they are as sinners and/or in Christ resulting in inner
security and confidence in God.
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I hope the two charts above have been helpful. I realize questions
may arise in your minds. In future Chariots, we will further
address specific dynamics between husbands and wives, between parents and
minor children at home, between parents and their adult children (whether
married or unmarried), and between members in the body of Christ. Until
then, I suggest using the above charts for family discussions. Here are
some starter questions.
1.
Do you think
people in your church feel afraid or unable to meet up to your standards?
Why? How do you respond when people don't have the same interpretation on
issues?
2.
Are there people
in your church with whom you feel safe and accepted? What makes you
feel that way?
3.
Make a list of some standards
which you think
are clearly stated in the Bible, and then a list of standards which you
think are based on interpretations of Scripture, but not clearly stated.
Place a star by the ones with which you think others might disagree. How
do you respond to them?
4.
Evaluate yourself by
the charts above. Then ask someone else in your family to evaluate you. (I
advise you not to defend yourself if their evaluation differs from your own. Humble yourself and ask God to teach you.) What do you think God
sees?
5. What divisions is God using in your
family, church, or community to give you opportunities to love?
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1.
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Norm
Wakefield
Elijah
Ministries
P.O.
Box 377
Bulverde,
Texas 78163
830.980.5606
info@spiritofelijah.com
http://www.spiritofelijah.com
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