55. The Idolatry of Morality

I will be first to admit that I just might be writing this because I cannot get my act together in the slightest.  I am the sort that will wake up promising to go on a diet and then have a breakfast of chocolate cake claiming the health benefits of chocolate; after all it contains protein.  And, one of my future entries will be about the comfort of my chains – how I like to still be enslaved to meaningless and even harmful crap. So keep that in mind as you read what I have written.

          I know it is not a new trend within Christianity, in fact there is a rich history of aesthetics.  But lately I have been noticing a number of entries in blogs, e-articles and the such about attaining righteousness.  Often that attaining righteousness is presented as a self-improvement program, and that by abstaining from worldliness one becomes more righteous.  Swearing off of this, and limiting that and promising to do only this... It might be, stop watching horror movies, and no longer watching television where the even the advertisements are demeaning and disgraceful, and listening only to gospel music.

          In many ways I get it, clearing the distractions of the mind and spirit to be more closely in communion with the Lord.  It is also striving to be in the world while not of the world.  And I believe there are those called to be so.  I believe I am not one of those that are called, and actually resist the impulse to tame the flesh.  Then I read Romans 12:1 & 2

Romans 12: 1 & 2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

         

I struggle with this verse, for I know that I am a weak willed son of a...um...gun.  My reaction is I want to make something of myself, be something beautiful for God.  Chaste, and pure, and without tattoos and fat, and not given to profanity.  I would be skinny, and handsome and well mannered.  And it is with sadness that I realize that I am defeated before I am out that gate. 

          I don’t think Jesus is all that interested in that either, and to be honest it kind of borders on idolatry.  Often the self-denial involved with the attaining this righteousness is often an ideal that is held up for others.  And I cannot help but wonder how much of this then becomes competitive, with you being a better Christian than I?

          I think that is why maybe Jesus told us to go into our closets and pray – okay maybe bed rooms, but you get the idea. 

          Not that we, or I, don’t need to continue to mature in the Lord.  But for me it is a matter of focus.  I cannot help but believe that for me it is a trap to once again become self obsessed, this time with how wonderful I am being.  My focus, I believe needs to be on those around me, not so much about what they should be doing, but about how I can be of service.

          As I continue to read the text from Romans 12 I am challenged to be in humble service in the body of Christ.  It seems to me that being a living sacrifice is not so much about abstinence or attaining purity but about service.  And then I read.

Romans 12:9 – 13 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

So it seems that I am called to be of service, and from somewhere I get the added admonition to be gentle and humble.  So, I struggle still to do what I can.  When I think of taming my flesh, it is managing my tongue and not saying obnoxious things.  (James 3).

          What I have noticed, is that some of the crap (sin) that I used to do just doesn’t appeal to me as much.  Maybe it is maturity (gasp) or maybe I am just too old for such nonsense.  Or maybe I have just a different focus in my life, and I don’t have as much time or energy for things like ruminating on what my grade nine teacher said to me (I kid you not).  I don’t know, but my penchant for scantily clad women on television and other media is just not that same. 

          But I do think we are called to focus on the weird and whacky stuff we do (sin) and of how to be nicer to those around us (service).