Balanced

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” – Ephesians 4:2

He was at it again.  News reports yesterday told of yet another high wire act by Nik Wallenda.  He walked a narrow wire some 200 feet above a busy highway in Florida.  Why?  I have no idea.  It is just something his family has been doing for generations.  I’m guessing he is just a victim of bad genetics.

Sometime when I read the apostle Paul, I get this feeling that the Christian life is a balancing act.  Sometimes Paul seems harsh and judgmental, i.e. “hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed….” (visit 1 Corinthians 5:5)

And then we’ll read, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”  Is Paul confused?  No, he is balanced.  The Christian walk is a balance, sometimes not so unlike the walk of those Wallenda-gened people.  On one hand, we need to make some careful judgments about right verses wrong; we do.  On the other hand, we can never do so in any frame of mind other than being “humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” It is as Peter wrote, “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (visit 1 Peter 4:8)

Speak truth, yes.  Do so always with the goal of love.  When we are tempted to lash out; OK, when I am tempted to lash out (I can’t speak for any of you), let Ephesians 4:2 provide a braking mechanism.

Of course, if you are like me, maybe it’s just best to avoid that high wire in the first place.  Count on Christ to direct your walk…..