T-shirts, Alternatives, and Truth
Aug. 14 2007
I am committed to humble orthodoxy because I have a great tee shirt that has “Humble Orthodoxy” across the chest.
Honestly, I am committed to it because I think Jesus Christ is most honored when I am humbled by his death for my sins and when I believe right things about him.
Besides that, what are the alternatives?
1. Proud Non-orthodoxy - This is irreverent and bold. Titling your book “God is not Good”. Calling people names on your radio show just because you disagree with them. It makes opinions more important than people and everyone looks like a bunch of high-schoolers in a big insult fight.
2. Humble Non-orthodoxy - This is pretty popular these days. It claims to be open minded, inclusive and willing to question itself. How can you go wrong? But, is this really humility or simply someone who lacks the courage to make a decision, take a stand and believe something?
3. Proud Orthodoxy - For me this is the hardest to avoid. I tend to feel that I see the truth clearly and so everyone should just agree with me. If they don’t, I can argue them in, write them off or just disassociate. God have mercy on me for my pride! Too often I have a head full of knowledge about God and fail to allow it to humble me.
When I give into these alternatives they lead me to dishonor Jesus, the opposite of what scripture calls me to. Scripture calls me to love and tells me that my love will be humble and abundant when I realize how much I have been forgiven (Luke 7:37-50). It calls me to truth (2 Th 2:10) and humility (Col 3:12-13). The reality is, when I understand the truth of Jesus’ blood shed for me and the love that is displayed, I can’t help but be humbled. It is the truth of the gospel that makes me committed to humble orthodoxy.
I know I will always struggle for balance. These alternatives will be temptations. But, in order to avoid them, I throw myself on the mercy of God. My prayer is that God uses the process to make me more humble and more orthodox to become more like Christ.
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Joe Stigora serves Covenant Fellowship Church as the College-Age Pastor where he also oversees music and leads worship.