Striving for Balance Introduction: In an effort to strive for balance, some have obviously reach an imbalanced state. Some preachers are heard saying, “Preaching must be fifty percent positive and fifty percent negative in order to be balanced. In the first place, what scripture teaches such and in the second place, how “positive” and “negative” are defined may be subjective. I do not believe 2 Timothy 4: 2 is meant to rigidly serve as a percentage statement, as some have argued. If so, though, at least two thirds of the preaching would be what some would call “negative,” perhaps all, depending on how “exhort” is understood.

Balance is a little hard to always pin down. Striving for Balance “23: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matt. 23). While not attempting to definitively offer what may constitute exact balance in all cases, we shall present some biblical facts that I believe are relevant and are involved in biblical balance. Balance is a little hard to always pin down.

Striving for Balance Balance involved the whole counsel: “20: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house…. 26: Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27: For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God” (Acts 20). Some believe that they can omit parts of total truth and still maintain spiritual equilibrium. Not so!

Striving for Balance Total harmony of scripture: “We are not to expect, in every place, the whole circle of Christian truth to be fully stated, and that no conclusion may be drawn from the absence of a doctrine from one passage which is clearly stated in others” (R. C. Trench, 17f.). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” was what the jailor was told to do in order to be saved (Acts 16: 30, 31). Since “believe” when used in a climate of salvation is always active, it is comprehensive and includes all that the scriptures show it to include. To believe in the biblical sense is to embrace and act upon one’s belief (cp. Gal. 5: 6). Belief, then, includes repentance, confession of Jesus’ deity, and baptism (Acts 17: 30, 31; Rom. 10: 9, 10; Acts 2: 38). When one considers the actions that follow in the case of the jailor, one sees the presence of repentance (“washed their stripes,” vs. 33) and baptism (vs. 33). Confession is necessary inferred based on Romans 10: 9, 10 (cp. Acts 8: 36, 37, KJV).

Striving for Balance Harmony of scripture: Galatians 1: 10 – I Corinthians 9: 22. Jude 3, Phili. 1: 17 – 2 Timothy 2: 24, 25. Ephesians 2: 8, 9 – James 2: 14-19. Titus 2: 4, 5 – Proverbs 31: 10-31.

Prioritizing: Matthew 6: 33. Matthew 22: 37-40. Galatians 5: 6. Striving for Balance Prioritizing: Matthew 6: 33. Matthew 22: 37-40. Galatians 5: 6.

Striving for Balance Providing for a living: I Timothy 5: 8 – Ephesians 4: 28. 1. I Corinthians 6: 10.

Childrearing: Ephesians 6: 4 Striving for Balance Childrearing: Ephesians 6: 4

Knowledge and zeal: Romans 10: 1-3. Striving for Balance Knowledge and zeal: Romans 10: 1-3.

Striving for Balance Conclusion: “23: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone” (Matt. 22).

Striving for Balance Balance is not elimination: Sadness/happiness. Sin/cleansed. Grief/good days. In the real life, there are both infirmities and glory (2 Cor. 12: 9, 10). There is the knowledge of sin and forgiveness (I John 1: 8-10). There are trails and the good life (Jas. 1: 1-4, I Pet. 3: 10

Striving for Balance The goal: Have a view to the “whole counsel of God” and keep everything in its place. Never forget the foundational truths and impetus. When the scales become imbalanced, correct them.