Theorizing the ideal often is a wonderful adventure in speculation. Experiencing reality is often distressful. Bible class discussions focusing on the way Christians should treat Christians often center on relationships in an ideal congregation under ideal circumstances. In ideal godly relationships, (a) Christians are sensitive to each other and (b) Christians in troubled situations are responsibly apologetic.

Much too often today's Christian justifies his or her ill treatment of another Christian or another person by citing the circumstances. If the circumstances and attitudes were not "ideal," then "I" am excused from the responsibilities of "ideal" Christian attitudes and behavior responses. When the New Testament was written (the first century world), their known world and their congregations did not approximate what they (or we) would consider to be the "ideal." The directives of the New Testament must be studied with this understanding: these writings provided practical guidance for Christians in a complex, ungodly time. Godly character and integrity do not depend on "ideal" circumstances and situations.

Commonly, experiencing reality is distressful. If interviews were conducted with Christians who broke association with all other Christians, that group could share several reasons for their separation decision. Prominent among the reasons would be this: distressful disillusionment produced by irresponsible, uncaring Christians.

The "disillusionment factor" is a powerful negative influence. Some Christians who abandon faith do so because they were "disillusioned" by the attitudes or behavior of other Christians. Too often congregations professing commitment to the reproduction of first century congregations fall far short of that commitment. They confine that commitment to forms that reflect modern concerns instead of God's priorities; or to organization that reflects modern structures instead of God's priorities; or doctrinal stances that reflect modern anxieties instead of God's priorities. Too often restoration commitments do not include a commitment to relationships. Too often people who become Christians expect to form and share caring, supportive relationships. They are "disillusioned" when the congregation confines restoration concerns to forms instead of substance. Restoration is incomplete if Christians are not challenged to develop godly character and integrity.

It is easy for Christians to respect each other when they agree and are kind. It is challenging for Christians to respect each other when they cause pain. The ideal: Christian association often eliminates pain. The reality: Christian association often causes pain.

One commitment of godly character and integrity is the reduction of suffering produced by human-human interaction.

Being a person of godly character and integrity is simple when we are surrounded and encouraged by Christians of godly character and integrity. Maintaining godly character and integrity is challenging when we are surrounded by people who do not share our commitment.

The challenges confronting godly character and integrity arise from being a godly person in an evil world.

In Jesus' lifetime Jewish people generated a lot of turmoil among themselves. Pharisees and Sadducees had fundamental disagreements (see Acts 23:6-10). Rabbinical conclusions often disagreed in basic concepts of God's will. Jews who collected taxes for the Roman government were rejected as thieves and traitors. Jews considered sinners were ostracized from the religious community. Many Jews considered Samaritans as less than human.

In every age, people who profess to be committed to God are often the source of serious, unnecessary misery to other people. Sometimes that misery is produced by indifference. Sometimes that misery is produced by uncaring, confrontational behavior toward others. Consider 2 Timothy 2:24-26. Godly character and integrity promote peace and healing in Jesus Christ, not suffering and anxiety.

One of Jesus' saddest commentaries on the internal struggles he observed among the Jewish people is found in Mark 6:30-34. Jesus intended to take the twelve by boat to a secluded place to rest. A large crowd arrived at the secluded area before Jesus arrived by boat. They hurriedly walked for miles around the shore. Though Jesus sought seclusion with the twelve to rest, when he saw the crowd he felt compassion for them. Why compassion rather than frustration? This was the explanation: "They were like sheep without a shepherd."

Nothing stirs compassion in the hearts of Jesus' followers as do misguided people foundering in confusion and a directionless existence.

They were citizens of one of the most religious nations in their world. That nation possessed God's law, God's temple, God's priests, and God's scripture. The laws regulating every day life were religious laws. Synagogues met every Sabbath for study and prayer. Their national leadership did not separate politics and religion. Influences supposedly devoted to God's will saturated their society. Yet, masses of Jewish people had no direction for or focus in life. They were as aimless and purposeless as sheep without a shepherd. Such conditions do not produce godly character and integrity.

When people professing to be God's people and Christ's church wander through life and relationships without a sense of focus on who they are or a sense of direction in Christ, their religious world has lost sight of God's priorities in Jesus Christ. A Christian who has godly character and integrity knows who he or she is and God's purpose for life.

A person might conclude Israel's religious emphasis produced an environment of peaceful encouragement among those Jewish people. Yet, actual relationships in their environment frequently produced rejection and turmoil. Many in Israel felt abandoned and deserted. People of godly character do not abandon and desert struggling people.

Godly character and integrity always have produced sensitivity, caring, and kindness in human interaction.

The sermon Jesus shared in Matthew 5-7 addressed some of the internal realities among those Jewish people. In that sermon Jesus dealt with the problem of brotherly abuse among Israelites. An incorrect understanding of loving one's neighbor as one's self prevailed. Too many refused to allow God to determine his or her character and integrity. Others' lack of loving neighborliness must not produce unconcern for godly character and behavior. The man or woman who belongs to God chooses to be a person of godly character and integrity in spite of the behavior of others, not because of the behavior of others. Acts of ungodliness are not justified by failures in other people's behavior.

Godly character and integrity exist in a Christian because God exists. A Christian's motivation for developing and expressing godly character and integrity is found in God's love for sinful people expressed in Jesus' death.

Jesus' definition of godly behavior for those devoted to godly character and integrity:

1. Read Matthew 5:11. Jesus gave this statement in the framework of the beatitudes. The beatitudes collectively form a description of the godly person.
   1. How should those insulted and persecuted for being Jesus' disciple regard such opposition? (A disciple was [is] one who follows a teacher. Among the religiously accepted in Israel, it was improper to allow Jesus to be one's teacher.)

      They should feel fortunate (blessed) because this is the way Jewish prophets were treated (verse 12). They should rejoice and be glad because there is great reward in such priorities and behavior. Remember Jesus was talking to Jewish people about Jewish prophets. At the time Jesus spoke, those prophets were complimented and appreciated.

   2. The statements of evil against the disciple should be false statements.

   3. The reason for those statements should be the person's relationship with whom?

      The false statements were made against them because they had a relationship with Jesus. People were resented because they associated with and listened to Jesus.

   4. Explain your understanding of Matthew 5:11.

      Let members of the class who choose to do so share their insights.

2. Read Matthew 5:22, 23.
   1. Any Jew who was angry with his fellow Jew would be guilty where?

      He would be found guilty in a Jewish court.

   2. Any Jew who spoke with contempt to a fellow Jew would be guilty where?

      He would be found guilty in the Jewish supreme court.

   3. What would happen to a Jew who called a brother Jew a fool? What court was that?

      He would be guilty enough to be sent to a fiery hell by God's court.

   4. What was a Jew to do if he was in the process of preparing to worship and remembered his brother Jew had something against him?

      He should go to his fellow Jew and resolve the problem before making his offering (an act of sacrificial worship).

   5. Explain your understanding of Matthew 5:22, 23.

      Let class members who choose to do so share their insights.

3. Read Matthew 5:39,40. Remember the context: Jewish people's treatment of each other. To remind yourself of the depth of Jewish-Jewish relationships, read again Deuteronomy 15.
   1. What did Jesus say not to do? How did Paul echo this emphasis in Romans 12:17-21?

      Jesus said not to retaliate against evil. (Remember, he did not.) Paul said not to repay evil with evil or seek revenge. He said one overcame evil by doing good.

   2. If a brother Jew sued a Jew, what did Jesus say was the appropriate response?

      In our words, "If a fellow Jew sues you for your outer clothing (a major concern for the poor person), let him have your underwear also." Remember the context. Jesus addressed hostile actions between fellow Jews in a nation that supposedly belonged to God.

4. Read Matthew 5:42 and contrast these two attitudes toward possessions. (Remember Deuteronomy 15.)
   1. "I earn/possess to care for myself and to use in any manner that pleases me."

      This is the attitude of self-centered existence and selfish priorities.

   2. "I earn/possess to benefit God's people."

      This is the attitude of godly character and integrity. "God blesses me to be a blessing to His people."

   3. What was a devout Jew's attitude toward Israelites?

      A devout Jew understood Israelites were God's own people.

Link to Student Guide Lesson 6

Copyright © 2002
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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