What is so sad, is that the servant who buried the talent in the ground thought he was doing the just thing. That he was covered, because, after all, he didn’t spend it on himself. But it certainly illustrates how the Christian life is not merely the avoidance of evil. It is the active pursuit of righteousness in anticipation of our Lord’s coming.
Precisely. That is one of the most sobering aspects of the parable. The servant was not condemned for theft, fraud, or extravagance. He preserved what had been entrusted to him and likely expected commendation for doing so.
Yet the master judged him, not for what he had done, but for what he had failed to do.
It is a powerful reminder that Christian discipleship is not merely about avoiding evil. God has entrusted each of us with gifts, opportunities, responsibilities, and callings. The question is not only, "What wrong have I avoided?" but also, "What good have I done with what God has given me?"
As you so well put it, the Christian life is the active pursuit of righteousness in anticipation of our Lord's coming.
Thank you, David. I fear that many of us have become adept at avoiding the sins we can see while overlooking the duties God has placed directly before us. Scripture leaves little room for that distinction. As St. James reminds us, "to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
I suspect this is one of the most neglected areas of Christian discipleship today, and perhaps one of the most convicting. I'm glad the piece resonated with you.
Beautifully stated views and comments by Dr. Moore and the commenters. However, I would add to the discussion the importance of holiness as a top priority. It is my view that holiness is a higher aspiration than righteousness although in part it is supported by and expressive of righteousness. But being a holy man or woman is an even higher aspiration than being righteous. We have an opportunity to cross a line into a realm of a deep relationship that cannot be characterized with behavioral or simple attitude analysis. I think the Scriptural passages describing Elijah’s flight from Jezebel to Mt. Horeb and the Lord’s communication with him at Mt. Horeb gives us a sense of a holiness in Christ. Certain miracles that happen to him are the Lord’s way of affirming the anointing of holiness in his life.
Also, I am taking the liberty of providing three other references/locutions about holiness.
Obadiah means servant of God. Edom means red and is a bit of a play on words about boiling... or to act in anger. Oh how one has pride in their heart, he writes. And what does anger do? Overwhelms love for a time, but it won't win. Sin is missing the mark, failing to complete the journey. Acts done or not done are symptoms. When you have the flu or a cold you have symptoms like a running nose, a headache, maybe a sore throat, fever.
I think you are right that sinful actions and omissions often reveal something deeper within the heart. Just as symptoms point to an underlying illness, our outward conduct can expose pride, fear, indifference, anger, or a lack of love.
That is one reason Scripture does not merely call us to avoid wrongdoing, but to be transformed inwardly by the grace of God. The goal is not simply the absence of bad actions, but the presence of genuine love for God and neighbor. When that love grows, both the sins we commit and the good we neglect begin to come into clearer focus.
What is so sad, is that the servant who buried the talent in the ground thought he was doing the just thing. That he was covered, because, after all, he didn’t spend it on himself. But it certainly illustrates how the Christian life is not merely the avoidance of evil. It is the active pursuit of righteousness in anticipation of our Lord’s coming.
Precisely. That is one of the most sobering aspects of the parable. The servant was not condemned for theft, fraud, or extravagance. He preserved what had been entrusted to him and likely expected commendation for doing so.
Yet the master judged him, not for what he had done, but for what he had failed to do.
It is a powerful reminder that Christian discipleship is not merely about avoiding evil. God has entrusted each of us with gifts, opportunities, responsibilities, and callings. The question is not only, "What wrong have I avoided?" but also, "What good have I done with what God has given me?"
As you so well put it, the Christian life is the active pursuit of righteousness in anticipation of our Lord's coming.
A necessary reminder that the sins of omission are just as bad as the sins we commit. This is excellent sermon material for one wise enough to see it.
Thank you, David. I fear that many of us have become adept at avoiding the sins we can see while overlooking the duties God has placed directly before us. Scripture leaves little room for that distinction. As St. James reminds us, "to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."
I suspect this is one of the most neglected areas of Christian discipleship today, and perhaps one of the most convicting. I'm glad the piece resonated with you.
Beautifully stated views and comments by Dr. Moore and the commenters. However, I would add to the discussion the importance of holiness as a top priority. It is my view that holiness is a higher aspiration than righteousness although in part it is supported by and expressive of righteousness. But being a holy man or woman is an even higher aspiration than being righteous. We have an opportunity to cross a line into a realm of a deep relationship that cannot be characterized with behavioral or simple attitude analysis. I think the Scriptural passages describing Elijah’s flight from Jezebel to Mt. Horeb and the Lord’s communication with him at Mt. Horeb gives us a sense of a holiness in Christ. Certain miracles that happen to him are the Lord’s way of affirming the anointing of holiness in his life.
Also, I am taking the liberty of providing three other references/locutions about holiness.
https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/bible-verses-about-holiness/
2 "Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: 'You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. Leviticus 19:2
https://www.impactus.org/daily-devotional/holiness-vs-righteousness/
Obadiah means servant of God. Edom means red and is a bit of a play on words about boiling... or to act in anger. Oh how one has pride in their heart, he writes. And what does anger do? Overwhelms love for a time, but it won't win. Sin is missing the mark, failing to complete the journey. Acts done or not done are symptoms. When you have the flu or a cold you have symptoms like a running nose, a headache, maybe a sore throat, fever.
I think you are right that sinful actions and omissions often reveal something deeper within the heart. Just as symptoms point to an underlying illness, our outward conduct can expose pride, fear, indifference, anger, or a lack of love.
That is one reason Scripture does not merely call us to avoid wrongdoing, but to be transformed inwardly by the grace of God. The goal is not simply the absence of bad actions, but the presence of genuine love for God and neighbor. When that love grows, both the sins we commit and the good we neglect begin to come into clearer focus.
Learn to not treat the symptoms, one way or another. Focus on what is true.