Life of a Christian Man. Scriptural Arguments Exhorting to it
CHAPTER I.
LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN MAN. SCRIPTURAL ARGUMENTS
EXHORTING TO IT.
Chapter Summary:
Chapter 1: The Christian Life in Light of Regeneration and Repentance
I. The Connection: Exploring the profound link between this treatise and the transformative doctrines of Regeneration and
Repentance. Delving into the divine mysteries that bind them together. (Sections 1-3)
II. Navigating the Extremes: Discerning the delicate balance to be upheld in the Christian life.
Condemnation of False Christians: Unmasking those who deny Christ through their actions. Shunning their ways and embracing the authenticity of true discipleship. (Section 4) Hope Amid Imperfection: Encouraging Christians to persevere with unwavering faith, even when perfection eludes them. Embracing daily progress in piety and righteousness as a source of hope and fulfill
1. We have previously acknowledged that the purpose of regeneration is to harmonize the lives of believers with the righteousness of God, solidifying their status as adopted sons and daughters. While the law encompasses the new life within us, restoring the divine image, our inherent sluggishness often requires assistance and motivation. Thus, it is beneficial to gather from Scripture a genuine understanding of this transformation so that those who sincerely yearn for repentance do not veer off course in their zeal.
Furthermore, I am well aware that attempting to describe the Christian life leads me into a vast and expansive realm, one that, when fully explored, could fill countless volumes. Just look at the extensive exhortations of the Church Fathers when they discuss individual virtues. Their extensive treatment does not stem from mere verbosity; whenever you undertake the task of extolling a virtue, the abundance of material spontaneously guides your pen to amplify it, as if proper discussion necessitates a comprehensive approach. However, my purpose in presenting this plan for life is not to delve into each virtue separately or indulge in lengthy exhortations. Such endeavors can be found in the writings of others, particularly in the Homilies of the Church Fathers. My aim, rather, is to outhne the method by which a devout person can properly structure their life and to provide a concise, universal guideline for regulating conduct appropriately. Perhaps one day, I may find the time for more extensive discourse, or I may leave it to those who are better suited for such an undertaking. I naturally gravitate towards brevity, and perhaps my attempts at elaboration would not yield the desired outcome. Even if I could garner high praise by being more long-winded, I would scarcely be inclined to attempt it, especially considering that the nature of my present work demands a concise treatment of fundamental doctrine.
Just as philosophers offer definitions of rectitude and integrity, from which they derive specific duties and an array of virtues, so too Scripture is not devoid of order. In fact, it presents a most exquisite arrangement, far surpassing that of philosophers in its certainty. The only distinction lies in the fact that philosophers, driven by ambition, consistently pursue a pristine clarity of arrangement to showcase their genius. On the other hand, the Spirit of God, teaching without pretense, does not always adhere to a strict structure. Yet, on occasions when the Spirit does employ such order, it is evident that it ought not to be disregarded.
2. The sacred Scriptures, which we now contemplate, are divinely fashioned to fulfill two noble purposes. Firstly, they aim to infuse and implant within our hearts a profound love for righteousness, a disposition that does not come naturally to us. Secondly, they serve as a guiding light, preventing us from straying off the path of righteousness while we earnestly pursue it. Indeed, the Scriptures abound with marvelous methods of promoting righteousness, and throughout this work, we have already explored many of them. Let us briefly revisit some of these treasures.
What better foundation can be laid than the reminder that we are called to holiness because our God is holy? When we were scattered like wayward sheep, lost in the labyrinth of this world, He graciously gathered us back into His loving fold. Therefore, whenever our union with God is mentioned, let us remember that holiness must be the binding force. It is not by the merit of our own holiness that we attain communion with Him; rather, we must first cleave to Him, allowing His holiness to permeate our being as we obediently follow His call. Yet, it is of utmost importance for His glory that He has no fellowship with wickedness and impurity. Thus, He proclaims to us that this is the very purpose of our divine calling—a purpose that we should continually hold in reverence if we truly wish to respond to God's call. For what purpose were we rescued from the darkness and defilement of the world in which we were once submerged, if we persist in indulging in them throughout our lives? Furthermore, we are reminded that if we desire to be recognized as the Lord's chosen people, we must dwell in the holy city of Jerusalem, a city consecrated to His name. It would be impious for its inhabitants to defile its sacred precincts with impurity. Therefore, the psalmist's words resound with wisdom and truth: "Who shall abide in your tabernacle? Who shall dwell in your holy hill? He who walks uprightly and works righteousness" (Psalm 15:1-2; Psalm 24:3-4). Surely, the sanctuary in which our God resides should never resemble an unclean stable; instead, it ought to reflect the splendor of purity and righteousness.
3. To awaken our hearts, the Scriptures graciously unveil the image of God the Father, who, in His Anointed, has reconciled us to Himself and imprinted His divine likeness upon us. He beckons us to conform to this image, for it is our true identity (Romans 5:4). Come, then, and show me a philosopher who can present a more exceptional system—one that rivals the moral philosophy of Scripture, beautifully arranged and harmonious. For when these philosophers strive to inspire virtue, their exhortations merely urge us to live in harmony with nature. But Scripture draws its exhortations from a far deeper wellspring of truth. It not only commands us to order our lives in relation to God, their rightful Author, but it also reveals our fallen state, estranged from our true origin—the law of our Creator. And yet, it graciously proclaims that Christ, through whom we have been reconciled to God, stands before us as the model, the very image that our lives should reflect. What more efficacious guide could one desire? Indeed, what could surpass this? If the Lord has adopted us as His children, stipulating that our lives mirror the likeness of Christ—the bond of our adoption—then to neglect righteousness is not merely perfidious rebellion against our Creator but also a rejection of the Savior Himself.
Scripture draws from the rich tapestry of God's blessings and the manifold facets of our salvation to construct its exhortations. Since God has revealed Himself to us as a Father, we would be grievously ungrateful if we did not, in turn, reveal ourselves as His beloved children. Since Christ has cleansed us through the redeeming waters of His blood and the sacred act of baptism, it would be unbecoming for us to be defiled anew by sin. Since He has engrafted us into His body, we, as His cherished members, should vigilantly guard against any stain or contamination. Since our glorious Head ascended to heaven, it is fitting for us to detach our affections from earthly matters and, with our entire being, aspire to the heavenly realm. Since the Holy Spirit has consecrated us as temples of the Lord, our utmost endeavor should be to manifest the radiant glory of God and shield ourselves from the defilement of sin. Since our souls and bodies are destined for heavenly incorruptibility and an unfading crown, let us diligently strive to keep them pure and untainted, ready for the coming day of the Lord. These, my dear ones, are the surest foundations of a well-ordered life, and you will search in vain for anything comparable among philosophers. Their commendation of virtue never ascends beyond the natural dignity of humanity, while Scripture lifts our gaze to the celestial heights of divine transformation.
4. Now, let us turn our attention to those who, devoid of anything more than the name and outward symbol of Christ, still dare to call themselves Christians. How audacious it is for them to boast of this sacred name! True communion with Christ is reserved for those who have sincerely come to know Him through the Gospel. The Apostle emphatically declares that no one has truly learned Christ unless they have learned to cast off the old, corrupt self, influenced by deceitful desires, and to put on Christ (Ephesians 4:22). Therefore, these individuals stand convicted of falsely and unjustly claiming knowledge of Christ, regardless of their fluency and eloquence when speaking about the Gospel. Let it be known that doctrine is not a matter of mere words, but of life itself. It is not grasped by the intellect and memory alone, like other branches of knowledge, but it is received only when it permeates the entire soul, finding its dwelling place within the innermost recesses of the heart.
Thus, let them either desist from insulting God by boasting about what they are not, or let them prove themselves to be worthy disciples of their divine Master. The doctrine in which our faith is encapsulated holds the foremost position, for through it our salvation is initiated. Yet, it must flow through our being, permeate our conduct, and effect a transformation within us, rendering us fruitful in righteousness. If philosophers rightly take offense and dismiss with disgrace those who, while professing an art that should govern their behavior, reduce it to empty rhetoric and sophistry, then with even greater reason shall we abhor those feeble sophists who content themselves with allowing the Gospel to dance upon their lips. For, from its powerful efficacy, the Gospel ought to penetrate the deepest affections of the heart, establish its abode within the soul, and permeate the entire being a hundredfold more than the cold discourses of philosophers ever could.
5. I do not insist that the life of a Christian should perfectly embody the Gospel in every aspect, although such a pursuit is commendable and should be earnestly pursued. I do not impose such rigid standards of evangelical perfection as to deny the title of Christian to anyone who has not attained it. Were this the case, the Church would be empty, for there is no person who is not far removed from such perfection. Moreover, many who have made only modest progress would be undeservedly rejected. What then shall we do? Let us keep our eyes fixed on this lofty ideal, constantly striving towards it. Let it be the goal towards which we fervently run. For we cannot pick and choose among God's commandments, obeying some and disregarding others as we please. Above all, God consistently emphasizes integrity as the essence of true worship. By integrity, He means a genuine and wholehearted devotion to Him, devoid of pretense and falsehood. In contrast, a double mind stands in opposition to such integrity. In essence, God teaches us that a righteous life begins when our inward affections are sincerely dedicated to God, pursuing holiness and righteousness.
Yet, recognizing that in this earthly prison of our bodies, none of us possess the strength to hasten with unwavering swiftness, and that many are burdened with weaknesses that cause them to hesitate, stumble, and even crawl upon the ground, let each of us progress according to the humble measure of our own ability and continue the journey once begun. No one will travel so poorly that they do not make some degree of daily progress. Therefore, let us never cease to advance in the way of the Lord, even if our successes fall short of our desires. Our efforts are not in vain when today surpasses yesterday, as long as we maintain true singleness of mind, directing our aspirations towards the goal. Let us refrain from self-deception and indulgence in vices. Instead, let us constantly strive to become better, until we attain the very essence of goodness itself. If throughout our entire lives we seek and follow this path, we will ultimately reach our destination when, freed from the limitations of our mortal bodies, we are welcomed into full communion with God.