Why "Balance" Is A Dirty Word

by Nov 3, 2009

seesaw

Anthony Carter writes:

I have found in my own life, and the life of many of my brothers and sisters in Christ, that balance is too often a means of covering up cowardice and even disobedience. It seems that whenever I am searching for a reason not to do something sacrificially and to go beyond the call, I revert to the excuse that I must maintain “balance.” Yet in our Lord’s call for discipleship, it seems that the last thing we hear from him is our idea of balance. Listen to these commands:

Matt. 5:29-30: If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Luke 6:27-30: But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.

The more I live the Christian life, the more challenged I am not for balance but for boldness; not for safety but for courage and strength.

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