‘Diminishing power is always the result of diminished faith’ – Gary Inrig

The summary of the Book of Judges where ‘everyone did what was right in his own eyes’ aptly resonates and typify our present societal moral and the church decline (Judg 17:6; 21:25). The people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on their own opinions and impulses of right and wrong. Indeed, our world is not different, individuals, groups and societies have themselves the final authority without reference and obedience  to God’s Word and standard. In essence, When God goes, faith decline because ‘diminishing power is always the result of diminished faith.’

Gary Inrig, in his book, Heart of Iron, Feet of Clay, explained that ‘when God goes, everything and anything goes.’[1] The reflection is, when God goes, ‘how do you survive the cultural tsunami that threatens to sweep away all signs of biblical Christianity?’When God goes, the surrounding culture defines morality by whatever works for us. Beyond merely surviving the moral and spiritual anarchy and other forces that attack biblical Christianity, Lent calls us to a spiritual retreat in order to advance missionally and ‘carry the values of Christ’s kingdom into the world.’ In the spirit of Lent, Inrig shows us how to live through ‘the lives of Israel’s judges, … heroes with hearts of iron who trusted God, making a positive impact on their times.’ When God goes, the tendency is to develop the feet of clay in the midst of spiritual catastrophe, compromise and failure to depend on God. According to Inrig, ‘few periods of history are so much like our own as the time of the Judges–at one moment scaling the peaks of glory and at the next plunging headlong into the swamp of sin…The book of Judges is filled with people very much like us–people with God-given potential for greatness and unfailing capacity for catastrophe.’ Lenten season calls us to embrace a principle to ‘live a powerful, productive life in the midst of a society that is increasingly hostile to loyal followers of the One who alone is Lord,’ learning from the triumphs and tragedies of people like Deborah, Gideon, and Samson.

When God goes, the church that began with prayer in Upper Room becomes social club in the Supper Room. Elton Trueblood, the Quaker philosopher in response to a questionnaire by Carl Henry, founder and editor of Christianity Today, ‘What do you see for the church of Jesus Christ by the year 2000?’ replied that ‘by the year 2000 the church will be a conscious minority surrounded by an arrogant, militant paganism.’ The result of ‘when God goes,’ is aptly summarised by J. B. Phillips with reference to the first chapters of Acts: ‘the church of Jesus Christ … became fat and out of breath by prosperity, … became muscle bound by over organisation. ..’

We are in a dispensation, a generation where everything goes hence, Lent provides opportunity for spiritual direction and renewal for the church to return and remain committed to a biblical world view. In Judges 17, Micah did not only carried out that which he thought was right in his own eyes as he became a priest to his molden image, he made his own god to serve his own needs. Micah converted others including a Levite to his cause, becoming a priest to his own god. A Levite is called to be a true priest to the One True God: anointed to teach Micah the true path of salvation. The sad news is that Micah converted the Levite who messed up the nation and people they were supposed to lead. Lent summons today’s Levites and leaders to bring God and His Truth back to the church, nation, homes and communities. Lent provides opportunities for the spread of Levites and leadership renewal and repentance to national dimension.

In such a critical hour in church history and mission when we have moved from personal conversion to secular compromised existence, Lent is a time to find God anew and return to His holiness. To do this, Lent summons us especially for the leadership to ‘gird yourselves, and lament ye priests, howl ye ministers of the altar. Come, lay all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God. For the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God. Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly’ (Joel 1:13). Lent calls us to a solemn assembly before the Holy God. To bring the power of God back again, Lent provides a sanctifying opportunity for the church, priests, and leaders to ‘weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare Thy people O Lord, and give not Thine heritage to reproach..’ (Joel 2:17).

Prayer: O Lord, deliver the church and help us from becoming priests to our molden images in Jesus name.

[1] Inrig, Gary, Heart of Iron, Feet of Clay: Practical and Contemporary Lessons from the Book of Judges (Chicago: Moody, 1979), p. 285