Henry David Thoreau was an influential American writer, poet, naturalist, and philosopher of the mid-1800s.  He was a close friend of poet Ralph Waldo Emerson, and, for a two-year span, chose an austere lifestyle at Walden Pond on Emerson’s Massachusetts property.  Thoreau carefully recorded his experiences and thoughts of that period, from which came his most famous work, “Walden.”  One of his most arresting observations about that adventure in basic living was,

“I went to the woods because i wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life,

and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

So, Thoreau was looking for the essence (essential nature or reality) of life. He wanted to be a good student at the feet of life as his Teacher.  Well, give the guy a little credit, because he spurned the way he saw others running through life without pausing to soak it up (stopping to smell the roses).  But do you not fear that the poet aimed a little low?

You see, one does not apprehend the ESSENCE of life by looking only at the ongoing processes of biological life.  (Solomon described that as life “under the sun.”) That is, there is life, then, there is LIFE, right? The philosopher intimately attached himself to what he observed and experienced around Walden Pond, thinking that, in so doing, he had discovered the most deliberate and purposeful way to live.  No doubt, the guy lived a profoundly simple existence.  But to consider it to be the supreme way to do life is, well, quite a stretch.

We who know Christ as Lord honor Him as both the Giver and Definer of life.  All that is life, at every level.  It was He Who said, “I am come that they may have life” (John 10:10) and “I am the..Life” (John 14:6).  Is the Lord not here referring to the highest experience or form of life?  Peter the apostle preached the crucified, resurrected Christ as “the Author of life” – Acts 3:15.  (Yes, we know that the original for “Author” also is translated Prince or Lord.  But Author seems to better suit the contrasts there highlighted by Peter.) You can add to this thought from your time in the Book.  I just wanted to take too long to say that in Christ Jesus and only in Him is the essence of life to be discovered and enjoyed.  Whether here or hereafter.

Thoreau the author read the wrong book if he expected to really discover the essence of life, ultimate life.  He was sitting at the feet of nature when he needed to be seated at the feet of the Author of Life.   The philosopher went to the woods to live deliberately, so that he would not die feeling that he missed the very meaning of life.  Well, how do we think that worked out?  Now, with that in mind, how deliberately are we going about life?  And, where are we looking for its ultimate meaning? Must we also die, only to discover that we had not lived?  Of course not! You see, this really is not about Mr. Thoreau, is it?!

There is more to this, don’t you think?.

robert

See our #1 on this.  As stated, “sound doctrine” translates from “healthy teaching.”  So, instead to certain kicks or issues, sound doctrine relates to an approach to teaching (in kind and presentation) which produces spiritual health in a congregation.  It provides them with what they need to mature and develop into the image of Christ.  By the time he was penning letters of instruction to preachers, the apostle Paul had basically systematized the great doctrines he habitually taught about Christ and His ways, referring to them as “sound doctrine.”  And he expected others to teach the same things – II Timothy 1:13 and I Timothy 4:16.

At times, it helps me to look at things in terms of the reverse.  For example, from I Timothy 6:3-5 we can conclude that UNsound doctrine will be that teaching which produces sin instead of holiness – vv. 3, 5.  UNsound teaching will produce doubt instead of faith – v. 4, with I Tim. 1:4 and II Tim. 1:13.  (We have neither time nor space to delve into the various faith-damaging false teachings of that era.)  UNsound doctrine creates strife instead of peace among brothers – vv. 4, 5. (Healthy teaching will stimulate the healthy emotions, role models, and relationships which promote unity among believers – Eph. 4:1-3.  Mark it:  Paul is telling us that CONGREGATIONAL unity is not preserved by some brotherhood kick or position but by healthy dispositions. He tells us our common positions in vv. 4-6, does he not?) Wonder how often a prospective preacher is queried more about his disposition than his “where do you stand on?” Can he handle disagreement? Is he mean toward the one who dares to disagree? Does he simply polish his positions or is he into the Book for wherever it may take him?  Sometimes we put a thug in the pulpit under the guise of his being “sound.” (Same for an elder.) I guess that could be called “the sick leading the sick.”

Finally (for now), UNsound doctrine also will produce weakness instead of maturity – Titus 2:1f, 15; Eph. 4:11f.  Too often, believers continue to be locked into serious spiritual battles while being regularly fed a regurgitation of “sound doctrine.”  Could it be that these valiant strugglers are not being fed a regular and balanced diet of healthy scriptural food? What do you think?

Sound doctrine is health-producing teaching.  How I look at that ought to be how Paul looks at it.

robert

Most churches want to grow, or think they do.  It may be helpful to see that all church growth is not created equal.  That is, there usually is more than one source for a church’s growth.  Growth can come from three sources:  biology, transfer, or conversion.

BIOLOGICAL growth is that which is generated through a church’s family units.  Members have kids, then, grandkids.  Fortunately, most of these progeny come to the Lord.  That is growth from basically a biological origin.  Praise God for that kind of growth.  But, unfortunately, we all tend to grow old.  So, depending upon biological growth to maintain and advance a thriving church is not realistic.

TRANSFER growth basically is that which occurs when existing believers move from one congregation to another, whether from local or distant sources.  Now, there may be good reasons to change.  Maybe not.  Add to that the fact that, in our times, churches are more into competition and marketing, targeting “consumers” in other churches.  I can’t fix that.  But I can say this:  transfer growth is a double-edged sword.  It can be a blessing or a curse.  Some will bring their faith while others may bring their fight.  Our challenge is to be a blessing to people and let the Lord sort it all out.

CONVERSION growth is that which results from a church’s evangelistic activity.  It is the fruit of harvest from working in the field of the world.  It is gospel-growth.  It is the kind of growth which should most characterize a church’s aims and advancement. It is work primarily done outside our four-sided Sunday box.

Most churches want to grow, or think they do. We have seen that growth can come from three basic sources.  Now, how much does this interest me, here?  I may can sorta’ see the church in all this, but how do I see me in it?  There is more to this.  Later.

robert

Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17).

Tools made of steel maintain or regain a cutting edge through use of a steel file or similar tool.  Think of a chain saw.  The chain’s sharp teeth become dull due to constant contact and friction.  Unless regularly sharpened by steel, it will become unable to fulfill its purpose.  And steel is necessary for the job.  Ever try to sharpen something using a stick of margarine?

Likewise, one man (person) of God can sharpen another.  Continuous opposition from the devil, the flesh, and the world can dull us.  We can get worn down and less effective.  But, through intentional and godly effort, we can stimulate one another toward deeper faith, stronger character, clearer judgment, greater hope, and higher goals in the Lord.  Proverbs is about wise living for the Lord.  27:17 applies that to keeping each other sharp for His use and glory.  When it comes to family, peers, or fellow-believers, will I help them become sharper or duller?

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Guess, in a sense, any follower of Christ can be an IRONMAN!  Will I sharpen others?  Will I allow others to sharpen me?

robert