William Pitt the Younger, a former British Prime Minister once remarked: “Necessity is the plea for every infringement on human rights. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.” 1 John 2:15-17 reminds us: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life - is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
Necessity is defined as the state or fact of being required. It may be deemed vital as a prerequisite to a formal agreement or other consideration. In most countries, elements of described necessity are deemed as an ensemble by those in control, or perhaps as a fundamental principle of humanity. Necessity can be seen by some as the key factor to an assurance in life. Many may regard it as a requirement with a meaning. It can become a driving force in life for achievement or survival. Laws are said to be instigated primarily to maintain order or safety. Food is a necessity to sustain life, together with water for the hydration of bodily parts. However, perhaps the greatest necessity of all, is that of love.
Everyone needs love in life. It is one of the important sustainments in any existence. For what is a person without love? but a flower deprived of its bloom. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 confirms: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.”
Necessity has both favour and disfavour in its concept that can signify justice or injustice. If one uses the stratagem of necessity purely for personal gain or pleasure, at the cost of others, then this interpretation by the individual applying it is being wrongly used for the benefit of unnecessary advantage. Necessity should be regarded as a responsibility, primarily imposed to safeguard goodness and deter evil.
For most Christians and believers, God is considered as a necessity for life. Without His presence and love, we would have no purpose. It would be like wandering aimlessly in a wilderness of fire without assured comfort or security. Psalm 16:11 reminds us: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
However, if certain needs or pleasures that may be regarded as wrong or sinful and trialled or argued as “sine qua non” in life, can they really be deemed as a necessity? Galatians 5:19-21 reminds us: “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In Christian life, whether one is born into richness or poverty, despite the arrogant thinking of others, all are equal in the sight of God. If one is considered of regal wealth and status, or the lesser rank of servitude, aside from the important aspects of generosity and loving one another, two of the secondary elements of provision to others may well include help and kindness. 2 Samuel Chapter 9 reminds us: And David said, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?” Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David. And the king said to him, “Are you Ziba?” And he said, “I am your servant.” And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” Ziba said to the king, “There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in his feet.” The king said to him, “Where is he?” And Ziba said to the king, “He is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar.” Then King David sent and brought him from the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, at Lo-debar. And Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and paid homage.
And David said, “Mephibosheth!” And he answered, “Behold, I am your servant.” And David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan, and I will restore to you all the land of Saul your father, and you shall eat at my table always.” And he paid homage and said, “What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I?” Then the king called Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, “All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master's grandson. And you and your sons and your servants shall till the land for him and shall bring in the produce, that your master's grandson may have bread to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's grandson shall always eat at my table.” Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants.
Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Mica. And all who lived in Ziba's house became Mephibosheth's servants. So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate always at the king's table. Now he was lame in both his feet.”
To stand alone is to stand unsupported. It may be deemed as the simple answer to the rejection by others, but what does it achieve apart from loneliness and a lack of love? Necessity has its rightful place in life if it is invoked on the grounds of safety, sustenance, shelter and righteousness. Ephesians 5:1-5 reminds us: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.”
Timothy Keller, an American pastor once remarked: “To stand in the presence of God, that is what the Gospel is. The Gospel is not primarily about forgiveness. It’s not primarily about good feelings. It’s not primarily about power. All those things are byproducts, sparks. It’s primarily about the presence of God.”
God is the representation of truth and life. His laws of necessity are always stipulated to encourage goodness and deter evil. Each has a definitive purpose with guidance and justice in its root. They are given for the benefit of mankind, not the hindrance. They are written for love and unity, to provide a safer dwelling place for all to enjoy. Our true accountability should be to Him, and no other. The tithe of earthly life may suggest different standards and exclusions for some, but in the true sustenance of heaven, there are no standards of excellence that divide uniformity. Malachi 3:10 reminds us: “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”
Amen.
