Springer Road Church of Christ
Paradoxical Righteousness
Locations & Times
Springer Road Church of Christ
1003 Springer Rd, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464, USA
Sunday 10:00 PM
Introduction
A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement that, upon closer inspection, can turn out to be true. This study is going to focus on Paradoxical Righteousness. That is, attitudes that we don't think of as initially righteous. The truth is, many (in fact most) of the attitudes we should or shouldn't have as Christians depend upon context.
For example, love, joy, steadfastness, and contentment are righteous attitudes. That is unless we love the world (1 Jn. 2:15); place joy in pleasure instead of godliness (2 Tim. 3:4); are steadfast (i.e. stubborn) in sin; or are content (i.e. lazy) with where we are spiritually. See, in certain circumstances, attitudes that are typically righteous can be evil.
But what about attitudes that are normally bad? Attitudes like anger, hatred, and jealousy? Are there times that these can be righteous? Actually, yes!
A paradox is a seemingly contradictory statement that, upon closer inspection, can turn out to be true. This study is going to focus on Paradoxical Righteousness. That is, attitudes that we don't think of as initially righteous. The truth is, many (in fact most) of the attitudes we should or shouldn't have as Christians depend upon context.
For example, love, joy, steadfastness, and contentment are righteous attitudes. That is unless we love the world (1 Jn. 2:15); place joy in pleasure instead of godliness (2 Tim. 3:4); are steadfast (i.e. stubborn) in sin; or are content (i.e. lazy) with where we are spiritually. See, in certain circumstances, attitudes that are typically righteous can be evil.
But what about attitudes that are normally bad? Attitudes like anger, hatred, and jealousy? Are there times that these can be righteous? Actually, yes!
Anger or Wrath
Anger and wrath can be destructive and spiritually deadly forces. The Bible has a great deal to say in terms of warning Christians against sinful anger.
Anger and wrath can be destructive and spiritually deadly forces. The Bible has a great deal to say in terms of warning Christians against sinful anger.
Anger or Wrath
While anger/wrath can be sinful, it can also be righteous. This is seen in the fact that God is sometimes angry.
While anger/wrath can be sinful, it can also be righteous. This is seen in the fact that God is sometimes angry.
Anger or Wrath
Not only do we read about God's anger and wrath, but we see Jesus expressed anger on various occassions during His life.
Not only do we read about God's anger and wrath, but we see Jesus expressed anger on various occassions during His life.
Anger or Wrath
So, should Christians ever be angry? If there are times that God is angry; and if there were times that Christ was angry; and if our goal is to be godly and Christlike--then yes, there are times we should be angry!
So, should Christians ever be angry? If there are times that God is angry; and if there were times that Christ was angry; and if our goal is to be godly and Christlike--then yes, there are times we should be angry!
Anger or Wrath
The key to righteous anger is at least two-fold:
First, we must control our anger. Christians are to be slow to anger (James 1:19) and we are to be angry without sinning (Eph. 4:26). While there are times to be angry, we must control out anger, not be controlled by it.
Second, we must be angry for the right reason. God and Christ are angered by sin. Sinful anger is aroused by selfish interest. Righteous anger is aroused when we see evil. If we seek to be angry in a Christ-like manner, then we should only be angered by those things that anger Christ and God.
The key to righteous anger is at least two-fold:
First, we must control our anger. Christians are to be slow to anger (James 1:19) and we are to be angry without sinning (Eph. 4:26). While there are times to be angry, we must control out anger, not be controlled by it.
Second, we must be angry for the right reason. God and Christ are angered by sin. Sinful anger is aroused by selfish interest. Righteous anger is aroused when we see evil. If we seek to be angry in a Christ-like manner, then we should only be angered by those things that anger Christ and God.
Anybody can become angry — that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way — that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.
~Aristotle
~Aristotle
Hatred
Hatred can be a bitter and devastating emotion. Often, children are raised to exclude the word "hate" from their vocabulary because parents recognize how terrible hatred can be. The Bible makes it clear this can be a sinful attitude that must be put away.
Hatred can be a bitter and devastating emotion. Often, children are raised to exclude the word "hate" from their vocabulary because parents recognize how terrible hatred can be. The Bible makes it clear this can be a sinful attitude that must be put away.
Hatred
While hatred can be a dangerous and sinful emotion, is it always evil? Or are there things that we should hate? There are absolutely things we should hate, and we know this because there are things that God (yes, the God of love) hates!
While hatred can be a dangerous and sinful emotion, is it always evil? Or are there things that we should hate? There are absolutely things we should hate, and we know this because there are things that God (yes, the God of love) hates!
Hatred
Clearly there are things that God hates. But should we hate? Yes! We should hate those same things that God hates
Clearly there are things that God hates. But should we hate? Yes! We should hate those same things that God hates
Jealousy
Like anger and hatred, jealousy is an emotion and attitude that is nearly universally understood as a bad and negative attitude. And once again, it is something that can be sinful, and thus we are wanred about it in God's Word.
Like anger and hatred, jealousy is an emotion and attitude that is nearly universally understood as a bad and negative attitude. And once again, it is something that can be sinful, and thus we are wanred about it in God's Word.
Jealousy
While jealousy is typically a sinful attitude, there are cirucmstances that call for jealousy. Again, this is seen primarily in the fact that God is jealous. Thus, there must be a righteous method of jealousy.
While jealousy is typically a sinful attitude, there are cirucmstances that call for jealousy. Again, this is seen primarily in the fact that God is jealous. Thus, there must be a righteous method of jealousy.
Jealousy
One key to understanding righteous jealousy is to realize that jealousy is closely related to being zealous. In fact, in both Hebrew and Greek, the same words can be translated as "jealous" or "zealous" depending on the context. For instance, here is a rendering of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) in Exodus 34:14
"For you shall certainly not worship other gods, for the Lord God is jealous regarding his name; God is a zealot."
Here are a couple of defintions of Hebrew words frequently translated as "jealous."
Qanna: used exclusively of God, focusing on His desire for exclusive relationships
Qana: to be jealous, envious, or zealous
So, should Christians ever be jealous? Once again, yes! There are times that if we are godly, we will experience godly jealousy.
One key to understanding righteous jealousy is to realize that jealousy is closely related to being zealous. In fact, in both Hebrew and Greek, the same words can be translated as "jealous" or "zealous" depending on the context. For instance, here is a rendering of the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) in Exodus 34:14
"For you shall certainly not worship other gods, for the Lord God is jealous regarding his name; God is a zealot."
Here are a couple of defintions of Hebrew words frequently translated as "jealous."
Qanna: used exclusively of God, focusing on His desire for exclusive relationships
Qana: to be jealous, envious, or zealous
So, should Christians ever be jealous? Once again, yes! There are times that if we are godly, we will experience godly jealousy.
Jealousy
To help us understand "divine jealousy" remember or think of jealousy as a strong desire for exclusive relationships. We should have a strong desire to belong exclusively to God. We should jealousy guard our spiritual well-being and the spiritual well-being of our physical and spiritual families. We should feel and follow and intense desire to belong to the Lord alone, and thus zealously pursue His will above all else.
To help us understand "divine jealousy" remember or think of jealousy as a strong desire for exclusive relationships. We should have a strong desire to belong exclusively to God. We should jealousy guard our spiritual well-being and the spiritual well-being of our physical and spiritual families. We should feel and follow and intense desire to belong to the Lord alone, and thus zealously pursue His will above all else.
Paradoxical Righteousness
Typically, anger, hatred, and jealousy are sinful and destructive attitudes. But there are times, strange as it may sound, that we should experience all these things. There are times that call for righteous indignation--that is an anger which result from a revulsion to sin. There are things we should absolutely hate--such as sin and it's consequences. And we should possess a divine jealousy--a singular desire and zeal for serving the Lord and Him alone.
Typically, anger, hatred, and jealousy are sinful and destructive attitudes. But there are times, strange as it may sound, that we should experience all these things. There are times that call for righteous indignation--that is an anger which result from a revulsion to sin. There are things we should absolutely hate--such as sin and it's consequences. And we should possess a divine jealousy--a singular desire and zeal for serving the Lord and Him alone.