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be impatient and move before the time. King Saul did this. He should have waited for Samuel (1 Samuel 13:8-14). Christ, however, always acted at the right time. When he should delay he did, as in the case of Lazarus (John 11:1-16). At other times Christ speaks of his acting quickly; in the matter of judgement (Revelation 2:16) and in regard of his saints (Revelation 3:11; 22:7; 22:12 & 20). All that he does is correctly timed.

Scripture tells us that there is a time for everything: " To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens" (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Some things if done at the wrong time would be frowned upon, though if done at another time would receive approval. To laugh at a funeral most would condemn, but at other times a laugh may relieve tension, so that it is said: "A time to weep, and a time to laugh" (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

Then there is the question of the way we say and do things. "Let all things ye do be done in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14). "[Let] your word [be] always with grace, seasoned with salt" (Colossians 4:6). Rehoboam spoke roughly and the result for him was disastrous (1 Kings 12:13). Paul in his letters often wrote in such a way that although he had to say things that were not palatable to the recipients he, at the same time, commended what he could so that those to whom he was writing were not needlessly antagonised - compare, for example, 1 Corinthians 11:2 with 11:17. In the first case he praises the Corinthians, but in the second he does not. Words such as "let us" do not put people's backs up in a way that " you must" or similar words might - see, for instance,

Hebrews 12:1; 1 John 3:18; 4:7. In other cases terms of endearment are used to persuade Christians to take a right course. Thus James starts an exhortation with the words "My brethren" (James 2:1, 14; 3:1). Paul beseeches the Roman Christians in chapter 12:1. God was using him to beseech and entreat (2 Corinthians 5:20). As to Christ: "And all bore witness to him, and wondered at the words of grace which were coming out of his mouth." (Luke 4:22). However, when necessary Christ could speak severely, as when he said: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites" (Matthew 23:23). The way we behave is important. If we are marked by love we shall not be insolent and rash nor behave in an unseemly manner (1 Corinthians 13:4/5). However, without love we shall do nothing rightly.

December 1999

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