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Stoic Reflections, 1. Some notes on the God-fearing life.

   "Out of the belly of the grave I cried, and You heard my voice."  (Jonah 2. 2.)



One thing that remains constant throughout the Christian way of life is the struggle to keep to the demands placed upon the shoulders of those who follow Christ.  To deny this is to fall victim to cheap grace, which is considered "the enemy of our church."  (1.)  It is made seemingly difficult by sitting within the context of a fallen nature; we are at all times open to the evils of the world and the ways in which it effects us; without God, we are liable to commit ourselves to its yoke.  If, however, we call forth to God, we must remember that He hears us and does not abandon those who hold fast in the faith— even from the very lowest of our condition (2 Samuel 22. 6, Jonah 2. 6); more, He delights in mercy and pardons iniquity for those who love Him and keep His commandments (Micah 7. 18-19, Deuteronomy 7. 9).  This latter point is what hinges the very salvific purpose of Christ and extended it to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 42. 6, 49. 6).  The Lamb of God died that all will have the opportunity to repent, seek forgiveness, and come to the mercy of God.  Yet, how are we to do this? 

The concept of a God-fearing constitution is very prominent.  In Proverbs 22. 17, we are told that we must "be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day;" it is this, I argue, which forms part of the very foundation for the Christian way of life.  After all, none are to know what will happen tomorrow, (James 4. 14,) and therefore have all the more reason to place their trust in God through Christ today (Matthew 6. 34).  Such a dynamic gives way to what it really means to have a "fear of the Lord;" i.e., our constitution must embody an understanding that we do not know what is to happen tomorrow, and therefore we must be all the keener to submit our trust and relinquish our concerns into the hands of the infinite God.  This, I would argue, forms the very foundation of what it means to fear God— to understand and embrace our finite being against the context not only of the world, or the universe, but within the infinity of God.  

A mode of thought which embraces the individual's finite nature within the infinity presupposes a fear of the Lord; this necessarily implies a multitude of other things, with which it forms a mutually-inclusive relationship.  It is determined to forbear wisdom (Proverbs 11. 2, 15. 33) and guide a constitution which is humble in the calling (Proverbs 22. 4, Ephesians 4. 1-2);  in favour of these virtues, it is written that God gives grace and honour to those who embody them (Proverbs 18. 12, James 4. 6, 1 Peter 5. 5).  It is via this sincerity of faith with a fear of the Lord that we must "be earnestly, even passionately, eager to set about any kind of activity that is good."  (2.)  In other words, a soundness of mental constitution will lead to a soundness of physical constitution; true faith will precede and give grace to good works.  

Scripture couldn't have made this more direct, as it tells us exactly what it is required of us: "what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"  (Micah 6. 8.)  More, those who are to enter life are instructed to keep the commandments (Matthew 19. 17-19).  It is one again a sincere faith which gives way to genuine good work.  In a sinful world, it can be difficult to maintain tolerance; but throughout our actions and in carrying our responsibilities, we are reminded that the burdens placed upon us are easy (Matthew 11. 29-30).  Bearing this in mind is crucial should the fallen nature attempt to convince us to waylay our efforts.  

Distinctive levels of mental habit must first be cultivated in order to attain such a perspective.  There are only a "few things a man needs to master for the settled flow of a God-fearing life."  (3.)  The details are given above.  When we seek God, we must do so with dedicated concentration and conviction; with dignity, sympathy, and a view to justice; "free from passion-led deviation from the ordinance of reason, from pretence, from love of self," and as though they were our very last actions on earth (4).  Ability to ascertain a fear of God, and further to walk his path,— as has been detailed above,— is entirely possible with a grounded set of principles with which one must proceed.  It is my genuine conviction that these stoic principle seal any such cracks in the road regarding confusion with how we are to proceed.  It is a matter of patient practice that combines dedication and time.  Nevertheless, this is open to anybody who genuinely seeks the Lord, as the opportunity unto His grace through Christ extends across the earth (Isaiah 42. 6, 49. 6, Acts 13. 46).  With some direct groundwork laid, delaying will not buy us any more time.  The fruits of the Spirit are imminent and awaiting those who earnestly seek to follow Christ.  


+ ALMIGHTY God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray thee, in the hearts of all men the true love of peace; and guide with thy pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquillity thy kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of thy love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.  (Taken from the Shorter Prayer Book (Book of Common Prayer).) 




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