Reasonable Christianity

There are a couple of words that are used in our common vernacular today that are used inversely to each other. Those words are “radical” and “reasonable.” Dictionary.com—a modern, culture-relevant dictionary—defines “radical” in part using these words. “thoroughgoing or extreme; drastic; favoring, supporting, or representing extremes...” It’s no stretch to say that “radical” has a definitely negative connotation in our world today.

The modern Dictionary.com defines “reasonable” using the following words. “Not exceeding the limit prescribed by reason; not excessive; moderate; capable of rational behavior, decision, etc.” We might liken the difference between these two words as being similar to the difference between “volatile” and “calm,” or “chaotic” and “orderly.” They are opposites in both definition and connotation. We generally want to be seen as reasonable and balanced, not radical and extreme.

However, “radical” and “reasonable” are closer in meaning than we might think. Though its meaning has changed over time, “radical” comes from the Latin word “radix,” meaning “root.” The first definition for “radical” then is this: “Of or going to the root or origin; fundamental.” The first definition for “reasonable” is this: “Agreeable to reason or sound judgment; logical.”

Interesting. “Going to the root or origin; fundamental,” vs. “Agreeable to reason or sound judgment; logical.” Tonight, I want to speak to you tonight about Reasonable Christianity.

Prayer

Romans 12:1 KJV 1900

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We all know this verse. “Reasonable” here means just what we’ve been discussing: logical, simple, easily understood. It is logical for us to present our bodies to be a living sacrifice to God. We are to be holy—only for HIS use—and we are to be surrendered, just as a lamb or bullock was sacrificed totally to God on the altar. It is reasonable for us to do this. We understand this verse. To flesh this truth out a bit more, we’ll be spending most of our time in Colossians chapter 3.

I. Vision

Colossians 3:1-4

In the first four verses of chapter 3, Paul states three important ideas.

Aspiration: If you’re risen with Christ, align your goals with His! (vs. 1-2)

Explanation: We “died” when we were saved; we no longer have the right to pursue our goals. (vs. 3)

Inspiration: Don’t get discouraged or lose heart, because one day, we SHALL appear with Him in glory! (vs. 4)

This is a simple vision; Paul is calling his readers to turn their eyes upward to Christ, and lay aside earthly pursuits. Christ is coming back, and we must prepare for Him! How do we do this?

II. Put Off the Old Man

To seek after Christ and serve Him, we must distance ourselves from our former life, the “old man.” We see two behaviors mentioned regarding the old man. Col. 3:5-9

A. Mortification - to put to death (vs. 5-7)

Dying is permanent! May God’s people permanently put these things out of their lives, by the power of God!! (“For ye are dead...” vs. 3)

Fornication (Greek porneia) — sexual immorality

Uncleanness — impurity

Inordinate affection — lustful passion

Lustful passion doesn’t happen by accident! Weaknesses and preferences may, but not passion. It is pursued. Passion happens when actions are given preference.

Evil concupiscence — lustful craving

Craving: “Vehement or urgent desire.” (Webster’s 1828) Cravings happen when thoughts are given preference.

Covetousness — specifically greediness

Greed is idolatry because OUR desires take precedence, not God’s.

Greed gives way to lustful cravings, which leads to lustful passion, which leads to uncleanness and fornication! These cause the wrath of God to come. (vs. 6) Mortify these things!!

B. Putting off (vs. 8-9)

Here are some additional parts of the old man that we are to discard. (vs. 8-9)

Anger — “A violent passion of the mind excited by a real or supposed injury.”

Wrath — “Violent anger: anger allowed to act! (Example: “Take vengeance”)

Malice — working evil against others.

Blasphemy — slander; evil speaking against others.

Filthy communication — vile words/speaking.

Lying (vs. 9) — God is true; let us emulate Him.

III. Put On the New Man (vs. 10)

Putting on the new man is 1) obedient, 2) purposeful, and 3) natural and logical.

Romans 6:4 KJV 1900

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Our understanding of what the new man ought to be is developed and maintained by our personal knowledge of Christ!

Colossians 3:10 (KJV 1900)

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

A. Individual truths about the new man

There is only one class — the focus is Christ! (vs. 11)

He is chosen by God — God is purposeful in the process of salvation. (vs. 12a)

He is holy and beloved — God loves His elect; they are only His. (vs. 12b)

He is merciful (vs. 12c)

He is kind (vs. 12d)

He is humble (not just in posture, but in mind—how he thinks) (vs. 12e)

He is meek—self-restrained for others’ and truth’s sake, not for self (vs. 12f)

He is longsuffering—enduring mistreatment at length (vs. 12g)

He is forbearing—to endure, bear with another (vs. 13a)

He is forgiving—how did Christ forgive you? (vs. 13b)

He is loving (vs. 14)

He permits God’s peace to rule his heart (vs. 15a)

God calls His churches to allow this same peace to rule in the body!

He is thankful (vs. 15b)

B. A healthy church life

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

This is a wonderful progression of teaching and description of spiritual truth. Paul began the chapter with a vision of how the saints ought to live, and then he lays out a succession of choices that the saints must make in order to realize that vision. We must put off the old man with his deeds, and put on the new man. When we do, we will abide in peace with the Lord and with other saints, helping each other and worshiping God in purity. What a wonderful state in which to live! To help the saints remain in this state, Paul gives further instruction that tends to make us uncomfortable.

IV. Do All in Christ’s Name

Colossians 3:17 KJV 1900

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

“Whatsoever” and “all” are very inclusive words. We are not to use God’s name lightly (Ex. 20:7), yet we are to do everything in Christ’s name, thanking the Father in the process. This means that in every day, at every step, for every word and deed, we are to acknowledge Christ, in what we say and do. Yet so often we are independent in our words and deeds. WE decide what we will do, WE decide what is best. And sadly, we do things that Christ cannot approve. When we read verses like this, we are convicted by our thoughtlessness, and by our fleshly choices.

After giving instruction to individuals regarding their familial and personal lives (Col. 3:18-22), Paul says this:

Colossians 3:23–24 KJV 1900

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Christ wants our every decision to be made in His name, and for His sake. I would assume that most of us don’t have known, unconfessed sin that is being allowed to exist in our lives. I would assume that we have judged ourselves in that way. But what about the sin of thoughtlessness? What about the sin of willfulness and independence? What about the sin of laziness?

The kind of life that is lived for only God’s glory is extreme and “radical” to the lost world. But it’s not extreme, though it is radical. This kind of life naturally proceeds from the “root” of the Christian life, which is the cleansing of sins by the blood of Christ, Who purchased us through His death, burial and resurrection. (HIS sacrifice was extreme—utmost/farthest!) When a person is redeemed and pardoned by this gift of God, it is natural for them to live for God, and not for themselves. (“For ye are dead...” vs. 3) It is fair and just for God to have the right to decide their life choices and direction, not themselves. It is not unseemly for saints to be expected to say and do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus. It is only reasonable.

This kind of life comes at a cost. It is not easy to live for Christ to this degree. As sinners, we would prefer to give God a portion, even a majority, of our life choices, but not all. It seems to cost too much. But it is impossible for us to pay as high a price as He paid to purchase us. Nothing we can do can begin to compare with what He did for us! That is why, when we get to Heaven, even the most sacrificial and dedicated of saints will not be able to brag about their service to God. No one will be able to claim they “went above and beyond.”

Luke 17:10 KJV 1900

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

When Christ returns, may He find us faithful! And until then, may we surrender every word and every deed to His control and His glory. This is only reasonable Christianity.