How does Grace preaching and the refining of our character as James speaks about and Paul referring to us as living as soldiers apply in a licentious and self centred culture?
This is a very general question so here we have a very general answer (no specific scriptures really) ... detailed but general:
Grace preaching and character
Many believers place an emphasis on 'character' and often quote Romans 5:4. However if you changed your bible to the KJV translation you would find the word 'character' is never used. The word in Romans 5:4 actually means 'experience or proven experience'. In the NKJV you'll find 'character' used twice, yes, Romans 5:4 and then again in Phil 2:22. The NKJV says 'proven character' so I think two things are clear:
- It is not a word used that often in scripture so could we possibly be placing undue emphasis on something called 'morality' and be dressing it up as 'character'?
- In context, biblical character is about 'proven experience'.
I think experience is the key word here. We are not called to only be speakers of the word, but doers of the word. I don't believe this is about 'morality' but about doing what Jesus did. Not only do we speak grace but we demonstrate the love of God where the sick are healed, the oppressed go free, the blind see, the deaf hear and the dead are raised.
I think if we ask the question, 'Now do you have the experience?' if our answer is 'yes', the proof is obvious. This is not to dismiss things like personal integrity, honesty etc but just to put them into perspective. I think we should really be looking at the fruit and gifts of the Spirit.
My current thinking is that of Paul in 1 Cor 12 and 13. The gifts of the Spirit and the fruit of the Spirit in operation together: The gifts on their own make a terrible noise, they are but a clanging cymbal. The fruit on their own are like clanging pomegranates. We can flow freely in both through redemption in Christ and the baptism in the Spirit. Exodus 28 depicts the picture Paul is referring to where both the pomegranate and the bell are accessed through the hem of His garment, so we should see both operating.
James and character
In order to understand James we need to understand 'faith' and 'body, soul and spirit'. Faith is something that you get 'the measure of' (Romans 12:3 - I know some translations say 'a measure' but the the word means 'measuring instrument' like a teaspoon - we all get 'a teaspoon' which is 'the measure'). We also get the 'faith of God' (comes by a gift of grace Eph 2:8 when you get born again). We have to learn how to put faith to work so to speak. It is our servant.
Man is a trichotomy or triune being. Jesus paid for all of us to be redeemed, not just our spirits. Although we'll only get a new body later, we can walk in a healed body now. We also have the mind of Christ so we have full access to a redeemed soul. This is much of James' point. Jesus paid a price that you can walk in a redeemed experience now, so say 'no' to the things of this world so that you can instead experience that redemption now.Its the grace of God which teaches you to say 'no' (Titus 2:12), its not about our ability, but His ability working in and through us.
If you keep these two things in mind as you read James, its a lot easier.
Paul and soldiers
We are soldiers but as Delron Shirley says 'God is not in the habit of handing out uniforms'. Ephesians 6 says 'finally my brethren', in other words look back at the first 5 and a bit chapters. The uniform is the last bit. God is more about equipping you and bring you into sonship than putting on your uniform. Eph 6 is actually creating a picture which most of us miss. The picture is of a uniformed soldier standing in the wrestling ring with a naked devil. We are not supposed to wrestle him and we're not supposed to think its 'just a sport'. Stand in your armour (i.e - don't wrestle) and keep standing even when he tempts you further to wrestle. If we're clad in armour and try to wrestle, we'll lose. Take the specific word of God, the sword (the applicable scripture for the situation) and apply it. You'll then be submitted to God, and the devil must flee. It's also important to notice that it says 'my brethren' - this is a corporate word not an individual word. Its a word to an army not to a soldier.
As to its relevance to a licentious, self centred culture: The strength of sin is the law (1 Cor 15:56) Grace!Grace!Grace. That is what brings people into freedom. Licentiousness is a fruit of the law. It's not the opposite end of the stick, its the same end. People wrapped up in sin are wrapped up and in bondage to human performance. Grace is the answer.
