When Christians Take Off the Tie

Wednesday, Sep. 2, 2009 Posted: 1:48:45PM HKT

As a pastor pointed out recently, it is helpful to think of Christians as possessing two identities; that of a servant and that of a son.

Christians are servants in relation to the work that they do. And they are sons in every other way.

The Apostle Paul made the same distinction when he wrote the curious combination in Galatians 6.

He had said that Christians should carry each other’s burdens. Soon after, he said that they should carry their own load. And logicians are puzzled at that point.

The seemly dilemma is resolved as soon as believers grapple with the complexity of Scripture.

The Bible is the Word of God spoken to a world fallen in sin. It does not speak to perfect people who are unable to sin. Indeed, more often than not people sin against God. And the Word of God makes provision for the sinfulness of Man.

If Paul were to simply say that believers should carry each other’s burdens, the wickedness of Man would quickly take that to mean that it is the duty of others to carry the loads they should bear. Scripture would become a justification for laziness.

It is for that reason that the Bible makes a distinction between official responsibility and unofficial responsibility.

People are called to carry out their official responsibilities, whether in school, the workplace or home, with faithfulness and commitment. Not once did the apostles leave any doubt that they were against the shirking of rightful responsibility.

It was Paul himself, man of grace as he was, who had said that those who do not work should not eat and that those who do not take care of their household are worse than unbelievers.

The apostles were of the strong opinion that official duties should be regulated. Those who do not fulfill them should be disciplined.

God’s grace does not take away Man’s rightful responsibilities. It only means that God will not cut transgressors away from Him as long as they repent of their sins. It simply means that He is the God of the second chance, but Man must make full use of that chance nevertheless. This is the difference between the teaching of ‘cheap grace’ and that of the Bible.

But there are many other occasions in which Man has no legal responsibility, such as when they are out with their friends or other people in other settings than work, home and school.

How then are they to conduct themselves in these settings?

Here, Paul’s injunction to carry each other’s burdens comes into effect. Usually, at least in Singapore, after work, many people shut off and expect everything to be done for them in the home or they have little courtesy for people they meet on or along the road home.

Yet, the apostle seems to be saying that these non-work and unofficial settings are where Christian love can really be displayed; just as Christian responsibility is demonstrated appertaining to official duties.

Here they are given the chance of becoming like Christ in His self-giving. This is the chance for them to shine as the light of the world and purify like the salt of the earth.

When Jesus Christ chose the path of the cross, He had already fulfilled His responsibility to His family and disciples. In other words, when the religious leaders wanted His life, He had already fulfilled His official duties; He was simply fulfilling His unofficial duty of carrying the burdens of the entire world on His own shoulders.

This was also what Paul himself did. He fulfilled his responsibility as a tent-maker, and then went on to preach the Gospel for free, taking nothing from others.

Because when a Christian takes off the tie or working cap, the responsibilities of the entire world becomes theirs, and no one else.

The Christian Post