Action Creates Clarity
Over the past number of years, there have been numerous times when we have desired to know a clear path forward. Since shortly after Mr. Armstrong died we began searching around for some clarity as to how to proceed when it became evident things were going sideways doctrinally. We all desire to see a clear way forward.
I am reminded of the example of the Armstrongs in the early days in regard to the Holy Days. They believed that the Holy Days were important and needed to be observed, but they didn’t yet understand how and why? Without total clarity, Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong began to keep the various Holy Days all alone. It took quite a few years before they understood how these annual Sabbaths lay out the plan of God.
Similarly, when you started to walk according to what you understood of this way, did you know everything or understand it as you do now? In most cases we acted on what we were learning and then the understanding grew.
God has revealed to His Church the general picture of what we can expect to see in the time ahead. But He has not given us exact details of events. Do we wait and sit on our hands wanting some clear direction before we take action? The human mind will automatically seek the easy way, which is to wait and justify inaction by the lack of clarity.
James seemed to have this in mind when he wrote the section of scripture in James chapter one, verses 21-27. He is advocating action based on what is known and understood from the word of God. Our actions must have a solid base, but will not necessarily be the whole picture. That picture will unfold as we walk in God’s way. “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).
Hearing is to inspire us to be doing. We hear God’s Word expounded each week during services. What good is it if action does not follow? We must practice what we learn from the Word of God. Action on what is heard at the time it is heard will prevent the human mind having time to reason and coming up with ideas that are simply promotion of human reasoning – deceiving themselves, as James points out.
God has given us all we need to be the kind of people who represent His family. We do not need full clarity in order to be doing what we need to be doing. “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith …” (Romans 16:25-26).
Our obedience is based on faith, and that faith is based on the solid ground of revelation and the commandments of God. That action will provide growth, clarity and development of the spiritual man.
Brian Orchard
