Backed by God’s reality
Russell Crowe’s Gladiator is not real. A movie with its visuals, pounding soundtrack, and palpable vengeance themes can play into a mental sense of reality, but it does not go out into the parking lot with you. When the movie is over the memory is there, but it is your turn.
The ascent of Maximus was fraught with unlikelihood. Sometimes one’s goals align with a movie-script-like destiny. More often our efforts toward such a Collesium climax trend toward Smollet-like ignominy. So how do we avoid the 5 a.m. appointment at the Central Booking Station? You do this by living according to God’s word.
The Bible is real, not virtual. While faith may feel virtual it is backed by God’s reality. Humility, gentleness, patience, etc. are God empowered options. Paul tells us that worthiness on the eternal scale is a profession that we can have now. He does not just dangle this as an option before us but urges us in that direction.
Paul’s take
Maybe you could paraphrase Paul’s take as follows. “I am stuck in circumstances which the world says are oppressive. Yeah, I am a prisoner. No matter that. My purpose is still fully engaged because I am a prisoner of the Lord and for the Lord. I am on his track and from that track, I call out to you, ‘Be humble, be gentle, be patient.’ It works. It is part of God’s railroad track. It will lead you home. As much as my suffering is part of my calling your right living is a part of your calling.”
He is not just saying, “Do this to buy a slot in heaven.” Or, “Live this way as rent for your heavenly home.” He is trying to point people that he cares about to the way of fulfillment. The problem is that while God’s way brings an eternal hope it does not appear to. Looks, like our hearts, are frequently deceptive.
Paul does not expound in these couple of verses upon the power to do right, but there are other passages which do provide this guidance. While it is safe to say you will never be in an arena fighting tigers and powerful foes you will be left alone with your heart. That is real for you and Ridley Scott does not direct this one. You can try to direct it, or you can throw yourself on God’s mercy and have him direct it. In the end, both will be unimaginable. We can do immeasurably worse than we can ask or imagine. God can do immeasurably more. Take your pick and choose wisely.
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