Protecting the Family Name

Someone I met claimed, as I understood it, that God does not need us to perform good works because he already knows what is in our heart. That was the essence of the position, but it went deeper. Personally, I chafed at the idea. How can God see what is in our hearts if we do nothing. Action is what demonstrates who we truly are, what we really believe. Recently, I commented on Proverbs 27:11 as foundational for my conviction. The one proving to be a real son to his father would naturally want to act in a way that doesn’t discredit the family name, his father, or his own reputation.

The principle would extend to the “spiritual” level (the ultimate principled level of obedience to God) in that believers would identify with being considered God’s “sons.” So they would understand the scripture as speaking to them. I personally view that scripture that way. God is telling me to ponder / consider my course in life, my life choices, my actions, my thoughts, in a way that demonstrates wisdom (insight into effects, consequences, etc.). This is truly because it is a matter of protecting the family name. Just as a slanderer may level wild charges at a family member, Satan the devil does the same. It is Satan who “taunts” God. How? He claims that God is hiding something from mankind – man’s ability to “be like God, knowing good and bad.” Then, on the other side, he taunts God that mankind is in reality nothing more than selfish beings that are only loyal to God because he bribes them. So it is up to each individual to prove, through actions, that they are defending the name of their father and family.

But Proverbs 27:11 is not the only scripture that conveys action as a mandatory requirement for those truly loyal to God. Consider for a moment: Would a person who is kind, generous, patient, empathetic, be a person who is a Christian? Could be. But it could also describe an atheistic philanthropist. So what differentiates Christians from an atheistic philanthropist? Jesus commanded real Christians to “preach the word” of God. The apostle Paul showed how we should all consider this a personal commission. Further, in Paul’s letter to Timothy, he exhorted Timothy to be at the preaching work “urgently.” Also, there is Paul’s account of faithful pre-Christian individuals at Hebrews chapters 11 and 12 – how they took ACTION. In chapter 12 Paul concludes what Christians should do with this knowledge. In verse one he urges: “let us run with endurance….” Undeniably, demonstrating action is required. Then, there is the whole book of Acts that recounts numerous “acts” (actions) on the part of early Christians. Clearly, true worship, both pre-Christian and Christian, requires action. Any arguments to the contrary are merely efforts to confuse a very clear, consistent (throughout scripture), and easy to understand directive.

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Delayed Answers to Prayers

In my experience, one important reason why Jehovah may not immediately answer a prayer is based on Proverbs 27:11. If Jehovah were to answer us immediately, we would never have a chance to prove ourselves wise in waiting and trusting in our God. Also, how could God give a reply to Satan's slander that we only serve him out of selfish interest if he did indeed immediately satisfy our every prayer. Instead, just by our mere patiently waiting, we both prove our loyal love for God and prove Satan a liar.

Beyond the above, consider these parent/child comparisons:

Timing: A child sees a new toy and wants it NOW! However, unknown to the child, the parent has already bought the toy for the child and is planning on giving it to him as a gift a little later. As much as the child may complain and even accuse the parent of not loving them, the complete opposite is true. Likewise, Jehovah in his wisdom knows when it is best to answer a prayer.

Training: A child loves sports. The parent watches from the sidelines as the child fumbles through the experience. The parent wants to come to the rescue of the child but realizes it is good training in learning to endure difficult situations. It also builds confidence and character. Likewise, the training we receive through endurance is mentioned in scripture.

We Are Our Own Worst Enemy

I was reflecting on Proverbs 27:11. Although written by Solomon, in a spiritually elevated way, we can think of this as God speaking to each one of us. Looking at it from that angle, God urges us to show wisdom in our actions and thoughts so that he can make a reply to the one who taunts God. Who taunts God? The account of Job answers that question – It is Satan that taunts God with the false accusation that humans only serve God for selfish benefit and would be disloyal the moment things didn't go their way.

Carrying that idea one step further, I can just see that every time we sin, Satan is right there to accuse us before God: “See, see, what did I tell you? This person isn’t a true and loyal servant of yours. They gave into their selfish sinful desire. What kind of servant is that? They aren't loyal. You are just fooling yourself if you think any human really cares.” There have been times when I feel so bad for something I’ve done that I actually pray to God, “Just let me die now. I don’t want to defame your name any longer and I can’t stand the idea of Satan using me as a reason to verbally assault you.”

Paul, in writing under inspiration from God, mentioned how hopeless we can feel and how frustrated we can get with ourselves. We all want to do what is right, but our imperfect ways mess up so badly. Paul’s conclusion was not that he had to rely on his own ability to conquer sin, but rather that he had to rely on God’s mercy. What then about the times when we feel so discouraged over our own shortcomings? At Romans 12:21, Paul wrote: “Do not let yourself be conquered by the evil, but keep conquering the evil with the good.” Although in context he was talking about those who persecute us, this is also a good scripture to keep in mind when we feel like we are not worthy of serving God or for him to love us. In this case, the "evil" is our own imperfect desires that could conquer us by making us feel unworthy to serve God. Instead of allowing those negative feelings to conquer us, conquer the evil with good --- that is, with acts of godly devotion, always striving for loyalty.

Tell Jehovah: "No matter how unworthy I feel, I will never stop striving to serve you faithfully." Do not give up nor give out.