A FAIR DINKIM CHRISTIAN
Psalm26 “Judgeme,OLORD;forIhavewalkedinmineintegrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands [is] mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.”
This Psalm is written by David. In it he is reiterating the kind of life he has tried to live for God and the kind of qualities he would like to emphasize in his life in the future. He highlights the qualities that please God and the characteristics that are necessary to demonstrate his convictions to the world around him. It is obvious that his primary purpose in pursuing such a definitive lifestyle is to illicit the approval and approbation of God. He wishes to be a God-pleaser rather than a man-pleaser.
If you could sum up David’s attitude you could surely say in contemporary Aussie idiom that David wished to be A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN. He wanted to be seen as “dinki di”. He desired to be the genuine article. As we were prone to say in an earlier generation, he longed to be the real McCoy. His objective was to avoid the sham, shame or shabby pretence of the all too common hypocrisy that hinders the testimony of the Lord, and to present his life as an open book to the glory of God.
It seems the problem of hypocrisy and deceit spans every century and afflicts every generation. It was so in the day of David. Heinonesensewaslivingproofofthematter. Itwassointhe day of our Saviour. Being surrounded daily by the hypocritical Pharisee sect, He had perhaps as much to say on the subject as
any other. But this should be of no comfort or consolation to those who are always using hypocrisy among so-called Christians as an excuse for ignoring God and His claims. As someone has well said, “If a hypocrite is standing between you and God, he is closer to God than you are!”
Yes, the world is crying out for A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN to show them the way of God and the way to God. We have plenty of the counterfeit kind. Admittedly, they are sometimes a bit difficult to detect. I am told some people can take a coin of the realm and submit it to the bite or bounce test and determine its genuineness. If it is made of the right alloy of metals it will make a certain sound and the truth about its value will be clearly shown and known. Even though it is difficult to know at a glance, ultimately A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN will also make a “certain sound.” The lost world is listening for the sound of FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIANS.
I am also told that there are certain unique colours and patterns purposely woven into paper currency that make real genuine money difficult to duplicate. Ordinary fake currency can be detected at a glance or a touch by a real expert. David speaks of the unique characteristics and peculiar patterns of a FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN. It is extremely difficult to fake or counterfeit these in the longer term.
During a volunteer church construction project, a little boy was once standing and intently gazing at his pastor as he was busily driving nails. The pastor noticed his keen interest. Stopping, he turned and smiled at the little boy and asked, “Son, why are you watching me?” “Do you want to learn to be a good carpenter someday?” “No,” the little boy replied, “I just want to hear what a pastor says and see what he does when he smashes his thumb with a hammer!”
I think this old and familiar bit of oft-used verse speaks volumes on the subject:
“I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one any day.
I’d rather one would walk with me, then merely show the way. The eye’s a better pupil, and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel if confusing, but example’s always clear.
And the best of all the preachers, are the ones who live their creed.
For to see good put into action, is everybody’s need.
I can soon learn to do it, if you let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.
And the sermon you deliver, may be very wise and true.
But I’d rather get my lesson, by observing what you do.
For I might misunderstand you, and the high advice you give. But there’s no misunderstanding, HOW YOU ACT AND HOW YOU LIVE.”
Yes, the eyes of the world are upon us each day. We surely need to know and display the true qualities of A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN.
A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN IS A CONVERTED CHRISTIAN. Davidsaysin verse one, “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; [therefore] I shall not slide.” This should go without saying, but unfortunately it is not so. Sadly, I have found that many who call themselves Christians have not had the very basic experience of conversion. They have no convincing personal testimony of being truly born again of God’s Spirit and saved by His grace.
Over the past years it has been my privilege to be given the opportunitytosharethegospelwithmanyyoungcouples. Inour culture it is not uncommon to find they know nothing of the gospel. It is not all that unusual to find that some have never been inside a church of any sort in their living memory. But even so, it would be rare that anyone of them would say at the outsettheywerenotaChristian. Why? BecausebeingChristian bears definition in our culture. It is commonly and sincerely accepted if one lives in our so-called Christian nation he is a Christian; especially if he or she has been Christened. After all, this cultural attitude says, “We are not heathens or pagans are we?”
In so many cases ordinary people have been and are being misled by false teachers. They have been told and believe that a person may get to heaven in a multiplicity of ways. They have wrongly believed that ordinances, rituals, church membership and good works swing wide the gates of heaven for all those who are sincere. They are not aware that Jesus contrasted the wide gate and broad way of the religious masses with the strait gate and narrow way of the truly converted. That is why any resemblance and similarity of many church rolls and the Lambs Book of Life maybepurelycoincidental. AFairDinkumChristianmakessure his possession matches his profession. He understands that a person will never qualify for entrance into heaven unless he has the right beginning.
I heard of a man who went to seek work at a new construction site. It was a large job and hundreds were being hired. He walked up to a man who looked important and asked him about a job. The man said sure. Take your tools and go over there and start to work with that carpenter crew. The foreman of the crew put him right to work; assuming he had been properly employed. It was not until the week was over that the man found out the person who had “hired” him was just a salesman who had seen an opportunity to play a practical joke. But it wasn’t so funny to the worker. He had worked a whole week without his name on the payroll!
Remember when the Australian relay swimming team was disqualified and lost the race with the American team. Why? It wasn’t that they didn’t reach the finish line first. It seems one member jumped the gun by just a tiny faction of a second. He didn’t start right. So he wasn’t really in the race!The parallels are obvious. Some of the saddest words in the Bible are those that Jesus will speak at the judgement to those who have sincerely believed they were Christians, “Depart from me, ye who work iniquity, I never knew you.”
A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN IS A CONFIDENT CHRISTIAN. Again David says, “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; [therefore] I shall not slide.” (Verse 1) It is clear that David is speaking both emotionally andexperientially. AsurveyofHisPsalmsconfirmsHisconfidence was founded upon and flowed from a life story framed in fear, fretfulness and frustration. He had often struggled to keep life and limb together. He had been deserted by friends and suffered the isolation and loneliness of a terrible exile. A whole army had been commissioned and occupied with the mission to seek and destroy him. He had frequently walked in the valley andshadowofdeath. Hehadlearnedthelovelylessonofliving in the light of God’s love. He feared no evil. The God of all comfort had comforted him as he sheltered underneath His everlasting wing. In faith he had and found the succour that can only be found in the Rock of Ages. Again and again he had sought and found the shelter and safety of his Fortress and High Tower. He was ultimately able to say with utter confidence, “My times are in Thy hand..”
Many years ago I read the story of two men sitting beside each other in an aircraft. One was a believer, the other was not. The unbeliever opened his newspaper to the headline, “200 people killed in air crash.” He pointed the story out to the believer and spoke a bit about the inherent danger in air travel. The he said, “Oh well, I guess when your number is up, it is up!” The Christian thought for a moment and replied, “Perhaps so, but it is wonderful to have a personal acquaintance with He Who puts the numbers up.” Then he proceeded to share Christ withhistravellingcompanion. Yousee,aFairDinkumChristian is one who not only knows he is eternally saved but has the confidence to share his confidence with those around him.
In our world of worry and woe God is calls out Fair Dinkum Christians who know the surety and security of eternal salvation. He seeks to use those whose feet stand so strongly on the Solid Rock that they will not be soon shaken by the storms of life. Those who have the confidence that can only be cradled in the promise of our Saviour, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
A number of years ago a famous art gallery in London sought a painting that would best portray real peace. Two paintings were submitted. These were hung side by side. One was a very beautiful rural landscape, portraying all you would expect of a very peaceful pastoral scene. The other presented a view of aq ragin storm crashing against a rocky coastal cliff. It featured the raging sea, tossing wind swept waves and flashing lightning of a terrible storm. But wedged in a crevice in the cliff was a bird’s nest. Sitting upon the net was a mother bird. Obviously being buffeted by the wind and lashed by the driving rain. Her fledglings nestled snugly beneath her wings; their little eyes shining with peace and contentment. The painting was labelled simply, “Peace in the storm.” A Fair Dinkum Christian is a Christian who can have peace, contentment and confidence, even in the midst of the storms of life.
A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN IS A COMMITTED CHRISTIAN. David points out that an examination of his will, way and walk will confirm his commitment to God. “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness [is] before mine eyes:andIhavewalkedinthytruth.”(Verses2-3) Itisclear that David’s confidence in this matter is based upon the fact that his enemies have harassed and hounded him because of his commitment to God and to his calling as a servant of God. The world around David had no doubt about his committal. His life had been weighed in the balance of faithfulness again and again and he had not been found wanting. He had been continually tested in the crucible of crisis and had been repeatedly confirmed to be composed of the right spiritual stuff. He had been tried in the test tube of tribulation and through thick and thin his testimony had triumphed for the greater glory of God.
The implications for a Fair Dinkum Christian today are crystal clear. God still sets a high standard of committal. The words of our Savior still apply in our contemporary world, “And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” What the world needs now is not only love, but those who love the Lord so much that their love and committal becomes obvious to all the world around them. Jesus made that clear when He said, “By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 8:35)Just how should the Fair Dinkum Christian demonstrate his committal toChrist?Johnsaiditanotherway, “Hethatsaithheabideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (I John2:6) AFairDinkumChristianisnotonlyonewhotalksthe talk but he walks the walk as well. He is one that has a positive and pleasing walk before the Lord and before the world each day. His walk is a walk that successfully emulates His Saviour. PerhapswewoulddowelltolooktoPeter’sdescription of the walk of our Saviour, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38) Even at a tender age our Saviour reminds us that we, as He, should be simply about the Father’s business. “. . . wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” ItwouldbetruethataFairDinkumChristianisone who is simply committed to going about His Master’s business doing good as His Saviour did good.
But we must hasten to say that doing good must be defined in our world today. To do good in the eyes of the world is
all too often to do evil in the eyes of God. The Fair Dinkum Christian is one who is committed to walk in the truth. He, as David, should be able to challenge God to examine the motives and intent of his heart. He should be willing to place the truthfulness and direction of his walk to the test of the straight and narrow way. It is not good enough to simply be seen to do good, but we must do good because it is right and for the right reasons.
Years ago I read of a professor of ethics at a leading university attending a convention. He and another teacher of philosophy had lunch at a restaurant. They discussed deep issues of truth and morality. Before they left the table, the professor slipped the silverware into his pocket. Noticing his colleague’s puzzled look, he explained, “I just teach ethics. I need the spoons.” This man was paid to instruct his students in the principles of right and wrong. But outside the classroom he failed to put those principles into practice. Profession without practice is hypocrisy and hypocrisy is sin.
A FAIR DINKUM CHRISTIAN IS A CHRISTIAN WHO DOES NOT CONFORM TO THE CORRUPTION AND CONCERNS OF THE WORLD. “I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD:” (Verses 4-6) David emphasizes his overwhelming determination to live a pure and separated life in themidstofacrassandcorruptworld. Contrarytothecurrent contemporary attitude that seems cry that moral corruption and impurity are unavoidable and inevitable, David is asserting that moral purity is an obtainable goal. God had asserted as much in His law and later inspired Peter to restate the fact of the matter, “Be ye holy, for I am holy.” (I Peter 1:16) If there ever has been a day when such an attitude is needed, today is that day.
I’ll never forget a incident that occurred many years in one of my classes in a theological seminary. The lecturer had presented the Biblical teaching of the universal depravity of man. He had further asserted that, contrary to the doctrine and teaching of a certain group, a Christian could not live a pure, perfect and sinless life. At the close of the hour a young student tentatively raised his hand. When recognized he said with apparent deep emotion and conviction, “I agree with what the scriptures say. Obviously the Bible teaches and we all know by sad experience that we cannot live perfectly pure lives. But my problem is that I see very few people even trying!”
There is a critical need today for Fair Dinkum Christians who will not conform to the corruption and immoral concerns of this present world. There is a real need for those who will go the right way even though others all around them are going in another direction. The crowd may very well be wrong. The challenge is to swim upstream rather than float with the current or tide of immorality and Godlessness that floods and inundates the culture of our day. It takes real courage to run against the herd that is stampeding down the path to moral decay, destruction and death. After all, they may turn and rend you with the horns of derision and ridicule. The following story illustrates this.
“When the crowd is running the wrong way, it’s hard to be the odd ball who runs the right way. Most of the participants in the NCAA 10,000 metre cross country race in Riverside, California thought Mike Delcavo was heading the wrong way. He kept waving for the other 127 runners to follow him, but only 4 believed he had taken the right turn - the turn that all the others had missed. When asked about the reaction to his mid-course decision not to let the crowd determine his direction, Mike responded. “They thought it was funny that I went the right way.”
Both the apostles, Paul and Peter, indicate that the first century contemporaries of the early Christians reacted in much the same way. They thought the conduct of believers strange; scornfully coining the term, “Christian,” to ridicule
what they saw as the weird and strange life-style of those who would follow and imitate the pure life of their Master, Jesus Christ. Experience constantly confirms that our contemporaries still think that His followers are going in the wrong direction. But all along those who are truly on the straight path are headed for the victor’s crown at the end of their race.
In these verses David also recognizes that the ungodly world- system is the enemy of the soul of man. James said it clearly when he challenged believers in his day with these words, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” (James 4:4) Someone has defined worldliness as, “what any particular culture does to make sin look normal and righteousness look strange.” We Christiansmustbeintheworld,butnotoftheworld. Likethe air we breathe, the world is all around us and surrounds us with its wicked will and ways. If we are not careful the constant bombarding of our senses with the sights, sounds, and tastes we will acclimatized us to the sinful darkness of our sordid world. Soon we may become so accustomed to this darkness that sin will look attractive and righteousness will look dull and boring. We may then start to act and react as people of the darkness. But we are people of the light. We are to live in the light of or our Saviour Who is the Light of the world and the light of His glorious gospel. If we are Fair Dinkum Christians we will not conform to the corruption and concerns of this world.
