What Would The Neighbors Think?

What Would The Neighbors Think?
==============================

    There are few things, if any, which frighten the average person more than to be considered "peculiar" by those around him.  That fear forms the framework upon which is hung advertising, custom, and a great deal of what we call culture.  It is the reason books become best-sellers at a mere mention by a talk show hostess and why "popular" music is popular.  Many will risk everything to avoid the shame of becoming an outcast, and adopt ludicrous fads to conform to those around them.  Peer pressure is one of the strongest forces in society.

    Yet for all the effort devoted to doing that which might improve us in the eyes of others, far more damaging is the energy expended on avoiding anything which might label us as "different."  The reflective believer will sometimes recognize these as "sins of omission" -- the word of comfort or correction which was not spoken, the deed of mercy or aid which was not done, those things of which we might later say "I should have ..."  Showing our faith in public is, for many, the most common of these failings; an oft-repeated question asks "If Christianity were declared illegal, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

    Scripture abounds with examples of those who were unafraid to own their faith.  Esther sets a standard before us, making her confession in a setting which she knew could bring about her death.  Daniel is remembered especially for declaring his allegiance to God even in disobedience to the civil government, knowing well that the "neighbors" were listening.  In the New Testament, Stephen's declaration of his faith made him a martyr, the first of many since the Resurrection who put faith ahead of fear.  In our own history as Reformed believers, the Calvinists who settled in Nova Scotia and Massachusetts were notorious among those around them, and occasionally vilified to this day, for their very visible refusal to participate in, among other things, the pagan celebrations which had been tied by Rome and the world to the birth of Christ.

    The story of the nativity itself provides an oft-overlooked example of a man faced with the temptation to defend his respectability rather than to act in faith, a trial he passed by the grace of God.  Though sometimes presented as an impoverished and homeless man, he was in fact a tradesman successful in business and about to be married -- he had a reputation to protect!  When it was discovered that his fiancé was carrying a child, he had every right and a social obligation to call off the marriage and guard his own good name.  "But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  We do not read that Joseph weighed the options in his mind; Scripture does not relate any struggle between faith and fear, between reputation and obedience.  What we read instead is "Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him ..." [Matthew 1:19-21, 24a]

    In this of all seasons we find it easiest to look upon the tiny baby, adored by all, and to forget that He not only was but "is despised and rejected by men" [Isaiah 53:3], the One who, in Psalm 31 says "I am a reproach among all my enemies, But especially among my neighbors, And am repulsive to my acquaintances; Those who see me outside flee from me." [Psalm 31:11]  To be Christian is not to seek the approval of the world, not even to avoid offense on Christ's behalf, but to "Let this mind be in [us] which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation ..." [Phil. 2:5-7a]  We are not called to be accepted, to meet and match the standards set by the world around us.  "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." [1 Peter 2:9]  "A peculiar people?"  Oh, my, what would the neighbors think?

"Lord Jesus, can it ever be, A mortal man ashamed of Thee?" [Psalter Hymnal 457]

===========
Gary Fisher