CONSECRATED PRAGMATISM—SOMETIMES IT’S THE FISH, AND SOME TIMES IT’S THE LAKE

A man was surprised and disappointed that most of the fish he caught in a certain lake were deformed, disfigured and tumorous. He concluded that there was “something wrong” with the fish in that particular lake. Later it was discovered that the lake was polluted and the toxicity of the water was negatively affecting the condition of the fish. The problem was never really with the fish. The real problem was the lake.

Christians today are confronted with a great many challenge—challenges that must be dealt with honestly and positively. One has to do with the spiritual condition they may be in. Another has to do with the spiritual condition of the church they may be in. Both must be approached and addressed honestly, courageously and realistically, in a spiritually pragmatic way.

Pragmatism requires a person to practically assess the context of the situation they’re in as to whether it is conducive, or counterproductive to the reaching of their goals. Consecrated pragmatism of thought and action has its place in a Christian’s life, and should be implemented by believers for the sake of God’s glory and for the good of themselves and others (Matt. 5:16).

First, the Bible being their standard of measurement, and litmus test, etc., Christians ought to pragmatically examine themselves relative to their spiritual condition, They should examine themselves as to whether of not they are in the faith (2 Cor.13:5), and as to whether or not and at what rate, they are growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18).

When looked at through the lens of consecrated pragmatism, things may appear to us about ourselves that are not pretty. We may discover spiritual tumors, disfigurement and distortions of one sort or another that are disturbing—to us, and probably to others. Sometimes fish can be in the best of water and be stunted, sickly and unsightly because of something that is wrong in their innermost selves. But not always.

Sometimes the problem with fish and with Christians doesn’t relate to what is in them as much as it is what they are in. Christians, realizing that they are becoming spiritually stunted, sickly and unsightly, may need to take a pragmatic look at the church they are in. A toxic spiritual atmosphere in a church can slowly, subtly, and actually, become hazardous to ones spiritual health by virtue of what and/or how (2 Cor. 3:6) something is being taught or as a result of what may be caught in terms of attitude and spirit.  

There are no perfect churches because Christians who make them up are imperfect and will be so until they are altogether glorified by Jesus at His coming (1 Cor. 15:42-44; Phil. 3:21).  But believers should be in, and contributing to, a New Testament church where the atmosphere is holy, harmonious and happy (Rom. 14:17; Heb. 10:23-25).

Read the line of the first paragraph of this article again: “The problem was never really with the fish. The real problem was the lake.” Sometimes the spiritual malformity and malfunction of believers isn’t all their fault. Sometimes it can be attributed to or is at least aggravated by the churches they are in. See 1 Cor. 2:15 and Eph. 5:15, 16.