Keep calm and carry on

If a ruler’s anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great offences to rest. Ecclesiastes 10: 4 NIV

If the temper of the ruler rises up against you, do not leave your place [or show a resisting spirit]; for gentleness and calmness prevent or put a stop to great offenses. Ecclesiastes 10: 4 Amplified

I am sure you will have seen one of the Keep Calm and Carry On posters, T shirts, mugs and so on that are prevalent everywhere nowadays. They and all the subsequent spin offs in the Keep Calm range are based on a Second World War Ministry of Information poster that was prepared in case of imminent invasion. Funnily enough these posters were never used and it was only because a book shop owner found one of the few remaining ones in 2000 and put it up in his shop that led to its current fame.

 This verse from Ecclesiastes could be wonderfully illustrated with a Keep Calm and Carry On poster.  The context of this verse is that of a king or ruler losing his temper with a courtier or servant who has not actually done anything wrong. The courtier is advised not to stamp out of the king’s presence in anger and offence but to stay where they are and keep calm. This we are assured will lay great offences to rest.

Few of us will be in this particular situation of serving an earthly king but the same principle can be applied to those who have some authority over us whether our boss at work or the leaders at church. Too often when we are grieved and offended by false accusation or just a misunderstanding, the first temptation is to storm out of the room or reply angrily to what is being said.

However, the same principle that the Teacher advises can be applied here. It is better to stay put and keep calm. Often that in itself will calm the whole situation down. Leaving in a huff inflames an already inflammatory situation.  Calmly explaining yourself if asked is fine but yelling and justifying oneself, does not help. In fact I think justifying yourself is often unnecessary. If the accusation or comment is false, the truth always comes out in time. God will always justify you and if you know that you have done nothing wrong, then you can rest in that assurance.  

The Teacher of Ecclesiastes, who was probably Solomon, would have had a kingly perspective on this and he knew what he was talking about.  Sometimes the pressure of kingship or leadership will lead to a king or leader speaking out inappropriately and maybe falsely maligning someone. He was not condoning it but showing the best way to deal with a situation like this.

Keeping calm, showing respect and carrying on shows great dignity on your part and you in turn will be respected.

 

Our righteousness come from God alone

But now a righteousness from God apart from the law has been known to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3: 21 – 24

It is a sad fact that many Christians are struggling to please God by acts of righteousness and even sadder are those who are trusting in their good deeds and righteousness to get into heaven. In fact it is quite alarming how many born again Christians believe that good works are the key to heaven.

Somehow we know we are all sinners, saved by grace but the good news that believing on the Lord Jesus Christ alone for our salvation is just too good to be true. Maybe – but true it is!.

When we yielded our lives to him, our filthy rags of self righteousness were taken away and we were given the crystal clear, pure white robe of righteousness that comes from God alone. We did nothing to earn it. It is ours, bought for us by Jesus and his wonderful death on the cross. We are justified by Jesus alone which means that all our acts of sinful selfishness have been replaced by the pure clean record of Jesus’ righteousness. He has done it all and that and that alone is the basis of our eternal life in heaven with God.

We must ask the Holy Spirit to instil in us the truth that our righteousness comes from Jesus alone. As the old hymn says, ‘My hope is built on nothing less, Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.’  Anything we do, any acts of kindness and service are done out of love and thankfulness for all Jesus has done for us. They don’t impress him or win us his favour or blessing. We have those already and they certainly will not open heaven’s door to us. That door was opened wide on the day we gave our lives to him. It should lift a great burden from our hearts that we cannot do anything to earn our eternal life. We just need to relax and enjoy that which has already been given to us by our wonderful Lord.