Seriousness

Seriousness

“Awake up to righteousness1, and do not sin . . . .” 1 Cor. 15:34. The usual understanding of seriousness relates to a serious message, a serious tone of voice, and a serious face. However, none of this expresses or can express what seriousness actually is.

Waking up to seriousness has the specific effect that a person stops sinning, that he keeps everything that Jesus has said and is saying. He does the truth, keeps all His commandments, stops doing evil; he stops with all vanity, all wasting of time, and all inferior use of his time. It also means that he carries out all that is good, uses all the opportunities, remembers what has to be done, does it immediately, and does it first.

The Scriptures exhort us not to forget all kinds of things or to neglect all kinds of things. When you forget it, you have not taken the matter seriously.

There has been a pitiful amount of seriousness even among those who are serious. As far as most people are concerned, it would be fitting to say that in all their seriousness there is no seriousness. They have a serious tone of voice, a serious face, but lack corresponding deeds.

In this context, we can quote one scripture after another: the laws of the Spirit of life; exhortations and examples from the Scriptures. And we can ask, “Who has taken them seriously?” The person who has immediately gone and acted on them and has zealously continued in it and has not forgotten them—he has taken them seriously; he has awakened to seriousness!

For example: “The righteous considers the cause of the poor . . . .” Prov. 29:7. “Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die.” Prov. 31:8. “She [the virtuous wife] also rises while it is yet night . . . .” Prov. 31:15. “He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.” 2 Cor. 8:15. “He has dispersed abroad, he has given to the poor; his righteousness remains forever.” 2 Cor. 9:9. “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon . . . .” Luke 16:9. (This is a command!) “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: for I was hungry and you gave Me no food,” etc. Matt. 25:41-42. “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.” 1 Tim. 2:1. “Deliver those who are drawn toward death . . . .” Prov. 24:11. “But do not forget to do good and to share . . . .” Heb. 13:16. “Give a serving to seven [seven times seventy], and also to eight . . . .” Eccl. 11:2. “Remember . . . those who are mistreated, since you yourselves are in the body also.” Heb. 13:3.

When, and how often, shall we do this? We realize that best after we have awakened to seriousness.

John Wesley stated it this way: “God does not love inconsistent people, people who do good deeds now and again [every fortnight].” However, unfortunately, the norm is to perform a good deed now and again, and perhaps not even that often.

May God grant every one of us grace to wake up to seriousness so that we constantly, daily, and zealously can sacrifice something for others. The revival has begun! May it last and increase through the continual sacrifices, to God’s glory and praise!

Greetings with 3 John, verse 11.