CONDESCENSION

I Was Just Thinking About – CONDESCENSION.

In the past few days, I have posted Blogs on the subjects – Indecision and Manipulation. Today, manipulation addresses  those who dominate others with their attitude of patronizing superiority and/or disdain. It manifests itself in both actions proposed and/or taken, as well as the tone of voice employed when addressing another person. It can border on snobbishness or strong opinions based upon egoism, pride and a host of other things that attempt to dominate the agenda and narrative. It is a carnal approach that projects: “I am right and you are not! I know and you don’t!”

How should a genuine and Biblical Christian respond? In First Corinthians 16:10-14, Paul shares a series of exhortations. Among them is verse 10-11 and his concern for how a timid Timothy will be received and treated. He wrote: “Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear; for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do: let no man therefore despise him. But set him forward on his journey in peace…” He concludes his exhortations in verses 13-14, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. Let all that ye do be done in love.”

Verse 13 contains three important components: (1) Be watchful. Don’t let the cultural values and practices infiltrate the behavioral patterns of the Biblical Christian. (2) Stand fast in the faith. There is an amplification and emphasis in this regard – Jude 1:3 – “I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.” (3) Quit you like men. The idea is that one is to be consistently courageous despite cultural pressures to fit the Biblical Christian into its mold of condescension and/or compromise. (4) Be strong. When Paul instructed the Church to put on the whole armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-17 – he began with these words: “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.”  He wants the Biblical Christian to know that there will be combat with a powerful enemy and the spiritual forces of darkness.

If I wrote a fourth Blog in this chain and series, it would be on the topic of Intimidation. It would deal with those who dominate the landscape and who try to impose their will on those they deem to be weaker and susceptible. In the Church, it is not unusual to see this happen on a recurring basis. Servants of the Lord succumb to intimidation in the false notion that it will preserve the peace and unity of the Church. Sadly, it accomplishes neither. There is also the concerns about job and career security. Men don’t want to jeopardize their “image” or lose their “pay check,” So – they will compromise and allow intimidation to have its way and influence. One would do well to remember the concluding words regarding the whole armor of God – Ephesians 6:13 – “Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

The words that need to resonate and echo – especially within any servant of the Lord are – “that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” One must ask and answer with complete transparency: Is the Church mine or Christ’s? Do I represent Him - The Bridegroom – properly and decisively with His Bride (The Church)? Does one have The Bride prepared and ready for the appearing of The Bridegroom? Or – will there be a mad dash to find oil for the lamps - Matthew 25:1-12 – and missing the coming of The Bridegroom? Is there a consequence when one does not take a serious God seriously?

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.