Happy or Good?

We have a fair number of business people in this church.  That is a good thing, because we do have decisions that need the expertise of folks who have lived out the concept of the "bottom line."  Some things profit us ... and some things go in the "loss" column.

Jews in Jesus' day were very transactionally oriented. Much of the New Testament is steeped in the language of finances.  Even Jesus last words, "tetelestali" (often translated "It is finished") are an accounting term meaning "paid in full."  Jesus' death on the cross is an expression of full payment for the debt of sin for each of us ... even for those who have not yet accepted this free/costly gift.

Paul knew this too.  In 1 Corinthians 10:23 there is another profit/loss statement.  "You say, 'I am allowed to do anything,' but not everything is beneficial."  Another translation says, "You can choose to do whatever you want, but not all that is popular is profitable."

I see this statement played out over and over again.  I think this is best understood by looking at two types of choices ... those that seek to be popular, or those that seek a higher purpose.  This choice is made over and over again each day, and Christians are often unaware of both the choice and the consequence.

1. The culturally popular choice - This choice is manifested in keeping yourself (or your children) in the flow of culture.  The waters of culture flow with the energy of popularity, fads, and what everyone else is doing.  These waters seem smooth and easy ... and there is plenty of company.  Tony Campola remarked that our current goal for ourselves and our children is to be happy, and to make choices that make us happy, satisfied, and able to have/do things everyone else has and is doing.  But 50-70 years ago, the goal was different.  Parents wanted their children to grow up to be good.  Good is far different than happy ... one is self-focused while the other is other-focused.  It is easy to be like everyone else ... it is difficult to be who God made you.

2. The spiritually focused choice - In Exodus 19:5, this is spelled out clearly (and it is echoed in 1 Peter 2:9) ... "If you will hear my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people, for all the earth is mine.  And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."  1 Peter adds the word "chosen."  You get the point.  This choice lives out God's purpose and plan.  But all of those components are difficult!

I do love how that 1 Peter passage ends, because it gets straight to the point God is making.  There is a word in Scripture used when there is a point or purpose to the statement being made.  It is the reason for the statement or the argument being expressed.  The word is "that."  1 Peter 2:9 ends with these words ... "that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."  The 1st choice (above) seems like "smooth sailing" but it is really darkness.  The 2nd choice seems really hard, but it both praises God and allows the 'chooser' to live in the light of Christ.  Which choice will you make?