The Dilemma of the Church

There is a passage of Scripture, which has been a favorite of mine for years.  It’s one I don’t understand completely, but it’s one that gives me great comfort at the same time.  It is also a dilemma the church has faced for many years. 

Here’s the passage:

In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these:

       a righteous man perishing in his righteousness,

       and a wicked man living long in his wickedness.

Do not be over-righteous, neither be over-wise—why destroy yourself?

Do not be over-wicked, and do not be a fool—why die before your time?

(I love that is says, “Do not be over-righteous or over-wise”, because I can do that!) 

My church faces that battle.  So does yours if you honestly live according to the Bible.  The battle between legalism and grace is always difficult.  Are we to live holy and righteous lives? Absolutely.  Are we to be in the world and friends of sinners? If we want to be like Jesus we should.   Does God forgive us when we sin?  Thankfully.  Finding the delicate balance between those two extremes is difficult.

The reason the church has set standards for years is to help us live lives that more closely represent Christ.  The problem is that most of the time we struggle to keep our own rules. 

But here is the part that pulls it all together, but also leaves me wondering exactly how to do it:

It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes.  (Ecclesiastes 7:15-18) 

I suspect I will spend the rest of my life trying to live that verse.