Countering the Dangers of Idealism
Goal vs Journey, part 1
A man stands atop a steep mountain. Before him is a road that spirals down, long and winding. At the base, a majestic city.
As long as the man follows the path, he will reach the city. But because for road spirals around the mountain, sometimes the city will look close, others the city will look far away. Sometimes he will see others on the same journey that will look closer or further to the destination. But as long as the man follows the path, he will reach the city.
This is what the Christian walk looks like. Each of us are in a process of transformation and becoming more Christlike. Our goal being to stand before the Lord in eternity and hearing the words “well done my good and faithful servant.”
However, due to the Enlightenment, we have embraced a culture of idealism, a dream of utopia. With this worldview, perfection can be achieved from within ourselves. And if perfection isn’t achieved, then we’re failures.
But this is NOT the biblical worldview. As Paul says in Philippians 1:6, “He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Now you might be thinking “wait doesn’t the Bible say to be perfect?” Sadly, Matthew 5:48 has been translated that way. However, scholars argue that a more accurate translation would be mature or completed. The Bible is not calling for instantaneous perfection.
This idealist view creates multiple problems:
One, it tells us once we say a prayer, we’re suddenly perfect and already in the city.
Two, it tells us we have to achieve perfection instantly and if not, we’re not real Christians.
Three, it causes some to slide down the steep mountain, trying to take shortcuts to reach the city faster.
Four, it causes some to rebel against the standards of God, thinking they can never reach the city.
Five, it creates jealousy and frustration when we see how far we have to go. Especially when we see someone else who looks closer to the city.
However, it is the journey of sanctification that teaches us to trust and rely on God. And as long as we stay on the path, we will reach the city.