Why is it important to strike a balance in everything? Because balance is synonymous with soundness.
Two opposing elements seem to pit themselves against one another. But, in fact, the two parts complement each other, working hand in hand with each other.
GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE
To say that God is all love and mercy is only a half-truth. He is also a God of justice and righteousness. His ways of dealing with man are always consistent with these two different aspects of His nature.
- Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you (Psalm 89:14).
- Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD (Jeremiah 9:24).
If we live only to please ourselves, believing that an “indulgent” God will constantly bless and forgive us, we are deceiving ourselves.
Thinking erroneously that He is always meek and mild may prove disastrous when we’re confronted by God the Judge at the end of our life journey or when Christ returns (Hebrews 9:27, 1 Peter 4:7, 17).
“Faith is good only when it engages truth; when it is made to rest upon falsehood it can and often does lead to eternal tragedy.” – A. W. Tozer
WORD AND SPIRIT
To function effectively, a church needs to strike a balance between the Word and Holy Spirit.
Too much of the Word (with no Spirit) and we dry up. Too much of the Spirit (with no Word) and we may lose our focus and direction—and may even fall prey to deception.
RENEWING THE MIND AND OBEDIENCE
Whilst renewing the mind is an important key to spiritual transformation, we must not put intellectual pursuit on a pedestal and neglect other key areas like love, obedience and the role of the Holy Spirit.
SPIRITUAL GIFTS: FREEDOM AND CAUTION
Spiritual gifts for power in ministry are important; they are not to be neglected. But we must not be mesmerised by the spectacular to the extent that we value gifts more than character.
The exercise of spiritual gifts is attended by freedom and spontaneity. However, there is also a need for order and structure (1 Corinthians 14:40).
Speaking in tongues is not to be prohibited (1 Corinthians 14:39) but even more important is prophecy—proclaiming God’s word so that all can understand and be edified. The former edifies the person who speaks in tongues but the latter edifies the community of believers (1 Corinthians 14: 3-5).
GOD’S PART, OUR PART
The Christian life is one in which both parties—God and the believer—are co-workers.
In Ephesians 2: 8-10, we are saved (forgiven and made righteous in God’s sight) by faith. But what comes next? We have to live a life evidenced by good works.
In Philippians 2:12-13, God works in us, helping us to obey Him. But we too have to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
BEING AND DOING
We need to be like Mary first; and then, spontaneously, we will be like Martha * (Luke 10: 38-42). ‘Being’ comes first, then ‘doing’. Truth be told, we need an abiding relationship with God (John 15) from which good works spring forth.
Though the church in Ephesus excelled in three areas—performance, purity of doctrine and perseverance—they failed in one area, which is ‘first love’.
Good works must be motivated by love. It must not be driven by selfish or ulterior motives like money, fame, power or pride.
LOVE AND DISCIPLINE
The notion that a loving God has to discipline His children seems foreign to many. However, discipline is the flip side to His attribute of love.
“Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons” (Hebrews 12:7-8).
Similarly, as earthly fathers, we need to be loving as well as firm towards our children, taking the cue from God the Father.
FAITH AND PLANNING
In the area of financial planning for our retirement, we need to have faith and personal responsibility. Apart from believing that a loving God provides for our needs, we also need to be wise and prudent—plan for our retirement.
MEDICINE AND MIRACULOUS HEALING
Seeking medical care and belief in supernatural healing are not mutually exclusive. When we pray, it does not necessarily mean we cannot seek medical treatment—unless we receive a clear and definite rhema word from God that He will heal us miraculously.
Hopefully, at this juncture, we would have realised why it is important to strike a balance—and not be so extreme—in so many areas of life.
Striking a balance is an important principle to be observed, whether in the world or spiritual realm. And it does not necessarily result in compromise or conflict.
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RELATED POSTS
GOD OF LOVE AND JUSTICE
WORD AND SPIRIT
RENEWING THE MIND AND OBEDIENCE
SPIRITUAL GIFTS: FREEDOM AND CAUTION
GOD’S PART, OUR PART
BEING AND DOING
LOVE AND DISCIPLINE
FAITH AND PLANNING
MEDICINE AND MIRACULOUS HEALING
* Footnotes
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10: 38-42)
Note: Dr Lim Poh Ann is a medical practitioner. He was the former editor of Asian Beacon magazine (Dec 2008 – Oct 2011). He can be reached at his Facebook page, www.facebook.com/AskDrLi
SOURCE OF ARTICLE: http://limpohann.blogspot.my/2013/03/striking-balance.html
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