… upright …
Summary: Words create images in our mind and many words come from images in real life. “Upright” is one of those words. A fence post is a good example. It either leans or is upright. From that we garner a lesson on what it means to be “upright.”
The Greek word that the NIV translated as “upright” can also translate as just, moral, fair, and righteous. Would you consider all these words to mean the same thing? They may not, but somewhere in the middle is an area of overlap. There, in the overlap between all four words, is the meaning of the Greek word, dikaios.
“Upright” is an interesting term because it has a physical application. A fence post is supposed to be upright. If it leans to one side, it can still be a fence post, but it is no longer upright. Of course, even if it falls over, it is still a fence post. But only in name.
A physical example of the word is helpful. When it comes to the concept, we can tell if a post is “upright” by looking at it. Having something to look at also makes it easier to teach the concept. All we have to do is point to an upright post. If the next fencepost leans, all the better. Explain that the leaning post is not upright.
Translating this concept of “uprightness” from the fence post in the back yard to people’s behavior is straight forward. If a person is “upright,” they are doing their job correctly. If they are “falling down on the job,” they are not upright. It may be that the term “slacker” comes from the same application. A post that leans can cause the fence wires to hang loose or go “slack.”
The problem with the words “moral” and “fair” are that they are open to interpretation. Everyone has an idea of what moral and fair means to them. Almost nobody will agree on every application of the words. What seems fair to one might seem immoral to another.
“Righteousness” is another word that is subject to some interpretation. The thing I like about the word “righteous” is that it has a Biblical connotation. Like the word “upright,” people tend to associate the word “righteous” with doing what is right. Sadly, few people these days are raised with any background in the Biblical definition of right and wrong.
But we should not despair. Paul and Titus were bringing the Gospel to Gentiles all over the known world. In each case, they first gave the good news of Jesus Christ to people. Then they started the work of helping people to know God. They explained what pleases God and what does not please him. If we are in a similar place today, it only means that we have similar work to do.
Application: Think of yourself as a fence post. How do you want God to see you?
Food for Thought: How should we teach new believers to know God?
Show them an upright fence post (1 Timothy 4:12 (whether, old or young)) and get them in the scriptures immediately (2 Timothy 3:16, Psalm 119:105)
LINKS
Thank you, JEC!
Being in the Word is so important, even if we don’t understand it at first.
Fence post,..upright,..how do I teach new believers to know God,..
One is to have God in my conversations with them,..pray with them, read the bible with them and get them involved in the conversations,..
Fence posts though come in all different shapes and sizes,..there are wood fence posts, round and square. 8′, 10′ and even 12′ in length, 4 x 4, 4 x 6 and even 6 x 6 in thickness,..some fence posts are heavy duty round steel in different sizes and wall thickness,..
If I were a fence post,..I would want to be a heavy duty 4″ round steel fence post filled with concrete sunk three feet in the ground. I would be set in a solid foundation, my armor is practically imprentratable, and I would be filled with strength,..I would be hard to move and will not be taken down easily,..if anyone ran into me spiritually speaking their inner air bag would be deployed sort of speak,..I would be able with stand practically any storm, rot would not set in,..
This may teach new believers to be and stay strong in the Lord God Almighty,..or it may just teach them which kind of post to use for their fence line
John,
You have given me a whole new understanding of fence posts! Leave it to the experts to fill in the details.
You have also given me a new visualization for Ephesians 6: 10-17. The armor plated fence post! There are a lot of possible metaphors there but maybe the best would be the gate post. Strength is needed for the gate to swing on it, and we want to be open for all who want to know God to come in.
Thank you, brother!
Great analogy of a fence post. I like it and will likely steal it 😉.
How do we teach new believers to know God? I think it is important to teach them to know God rather than just teach them about God. They need to see it as a relationship and not just a religion. (Matthew 11: 28 – 30). Ground that in the word as JEC says (Colossians 2: 6 – 8). Get them involved in the other disciplines of prayer, fellowship, worship, service, etc. But always reinforce it is about knowing God in relationship as opposed to knowing about Him.
Brother Rich,
It is an honor that you like the analogy. No need to steal, you are always welcome to anything here you like. 🙂
I really like that you emphasize the relationship with God over knowing about Him. In time, a relationship will help us to know more about God. If all one has is knowledge about God, it is possible that they never actually know Him.
Be upright without being uptight. Leave the judging to a just God.
Rob,
You are concise while still being nice!
(Don’t judge my poetry!! 🙂 )
How should we teach new believers to know God?
To become involved with a good Bible based church, filled with examples of Christ. Teach them the need to spend time with God through prayer, bible study and application to our lives. Support them through prayer and a discipleship program which is more than “see you each Sunday.” Stay close to them as they learn to walk, just as we do our own children. Always close, hovering over them in case they begin to fall.
They are babies and need to see, feel Gods love as they develop into upright believers.
Thank you, Ron!
I love your heart for people who have just discovered our Lord.