Practicing Hesed (4): A Matter of Authority
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8
Right –The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America contains the phrase, “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” This document claims that these truths are “self-evident.” In other words, they need no further justification. Any reasonable man, upon reflection, will conclude that all men are created equal and have these rights. It is a bold statement. Very few men actually believe it to be true for if they did believe it, most of the economic, political, racial and ethnic conflicts in this world would come to an end. This is a statement of ideal conception, not a condition of practical reality. In order for these “rights” to become reality, something more must be added. That ingredient is what Paul has in mind in this verse. The word is dikaios.
Dikaios means, “that which is just and right, that which conforms to rule and law.” But dikaios stands on an implied platform without which it is a vacuous utopian dream. Dikaios assumes reigning authority. Unless there is an authority, what is right and just disintegrates into “whatever I think is right for me.” Justice requires governing authority. It might be Law, or it might be God, or it might be the King. But without something behind dikaios, the world is reduced to warlord behavior.
When Paul instructs us to contemplate dikaios (what is right), he is really exhorting us to think deeply about authority. It is the question about the kingdom. Bob Dylan correctly pointed out that all of us “gotta’ serve somebody.” Who is the authority in your life? Whom do you serve? Paul says, “Contemplate all that grants you authority and how you exercise that authority. Think about your duty and obligation to the One you serve. Then you will begin to understand what “right” really means.”
The God of Justice, Mercy and Grace has granted limited authority to His children. Their behavior is to reflect His judgment. In God’s world, I do not serve myself. Neither am I the grantor of my own authority. Unless I get these things straight, I will be in for some very difficult circumstances. Whatever reflects service under the authority of God is worth thinking about. Whatever does not reflect God’s authority should be discarded. Wouldn’t life be a whole lot simpler if we just remembered that?
