I’ve been listening to the book Generation Z Unfiltered by Tim Elmore. It is a terrific book for those raising or otherwise working with today’s teenagers. He effectively points out how those of us in a different generation focus on their obsession with phones, screens and apparent irresponsibility on their jobs. But in doing so, we are overlooking the admirable qualities this generation has. Our assignment is to rise to the occasion and help them build on their strengths rather than nag them about their weakness.
What Tim says we are doing is something we do in a variety of areas of our life, including our spiritual lives. We can become so obsessed with specific doctrine, liturgy, method of worship, etc. that, like the legalistic Jewish leaders of Jesus’ day, we miss the whole point in what Jesus teaches about the kingdom of God and His passion for us to become an integral part of it. We could say the same thing about obsessions of power, wealth, etc., found in our secular culture.
This micro-legalistic living is more prevalent than we imagine. It robs a person of a more dynamic and well-rounded life. In a religious setting, those raised in a more legalistic church, or who have a stronger traditionalist personality, can unconsciously fall into that obsessive mindset. I know because as I look back, I can see that dark cloud hung over my thinking.
King Hezekiah was a righteous king of Judah, but he made mistakes, as we all do. In Isaiah 37 and 2 Kings 18, without consulting God, Hezekiah presumptively rebelled against the king of Assyria—world leading empire of the day. When the king confronted Hezekiah with his massively superior army, Hezekiah recanted and offered to serve the Assyrians again—but that was not enough for the Assyrian king. The Assyrian king sent Hezekiah a devastating letter. He put on sackcloth and ashes and went to God’s temple and laid the letter before the Lord. God promised to intervene, which He miraculously did, but He never confronted Hezekiah about his presumptive act against God’s authority. When I noticed this, my initial response was, “but God, Hezekiah acted presumptively against you! Why aren’t You addressing this grave issue?”
In this setting, I realized my righteous value system was totally out of whack. God saw the bigger picture of Hezekiah’s humble heart, and that was far greater than his sin of presumption. I haven’t always seen it that way. It was a great eyeopener for me! I felt ashamed and again in need of God’s generous grace. But also, very grateful the Spirit revealed it now.
Carrying that perspective through life is an unnecessary weight I have carried far too long. I suspect I have now been set free of it. I think of so many others in the church who demand certain behavior, dress, doctrine before God can accept them. They even insist on using only the King James Version of the Bible. We sometimes put expectations of this sort on our children instead of stressing that they embrace an intimate relationship with God.
How about you? Are you expecting more of yourself than what God is expecting? God is far more interested in your heart and that of your family and friends than He is in the minutia of right things, beliefs or behavior. His love covers a multitude of sins. That is what He wants of us as well. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8, NLT2).