There is a story about a man who jumped off the top of the Empire State building. As he passed the 50th, 40th and 30th floors he was heard to say, “so far, so good.”
Solomon said, “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” In the case of this man the sentence was coming pretty quickly. In our lives it sometimes appears that we are getting away with something because we have not yet gone “splat.”
This is true of the young person who drives furiously and defends his unsafe maneuvers by saying that he hasn’t ever had an accident. His answer would be “so far, so good.” It’s just that he hasn’t yet gone “splat.”
It can happen in ecclesial life as well. It is possible to go pelt melt toward worthwhile goals and run roughshod over the feelings and beliefs of others. We may feel we are winning the battle for our own agenda, and God is with us. We could be saying, “so far, so good.” But unless we are on God’s side, there is a real danger that a “splat” is on the way.
Here the analogy with the man falling from the building comes to an end. He has no power to change his course or avoid the inevitable. In other cases, there are usually many warnings and pleadings from parents to their young son to slow down; from the wife who begs for mercy and relief from her oppressive situation and from the ecclesia or others who counsel and plead with the “driven” brother or sister to slow down, to stop and consider and listen to the words of many counselors.
Solomon addressed this subject when he said, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise” and “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD pondereth the hearts.”
It is too late for the man falling down from the top of the Empire State building to “be wise and hearken unto counsel.” Perhaps he had already refused to listen to the pleadings of those at the top who begged him to come away from the edge. Once committed, his “splat” was inevitable.
In the other three cases cited it is still not too late to listen to counsel and be wise. “So far, so good” may be God’s merciful provision of giving time to repent. Certainly God gave ample opportunity in Noah’s day for the people to listen.
Hosea asked penetrating questions. “Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”
It is a sad fact that so many young people go through a rebellious stage in their lives when they won’t listen to the wise counsel of their elders. Their “so far, so good” is headed for a “splat.” Those who love them want to help them prevent it, but how do we get them to listen?
The case of abusive husbands is also tragic. Often they will repent and say they are sorry only to shortly go on another rampage. If their word is no good, we cannot trust them. They may think “so far, so good,” but they are not really getting away with their crime. A horrible “splat” of some kind is in their future unless they amend their ways.
There are totally sincere brothers and sisters who try to control an ecclesia or Sunday School or community. They are dedicated to doing what they are convinced is right, just as Solomon said, “every way of a man is right in his own eyes.” Using intimidation to override opposition may seem to bring success and the conclusion “so far, so good,” but ignoring spiritual advisors and pride in human accomplishment are steps on the path of a “splat.”
Jehu said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the LORD.” King Saul boasted to Samuel, “I have performed the commandment of the LORD.” They were both right in their own eyes but not in the eyes of the Lord.
Some persist in ignoring God as Pharaoh did. By stubbornly refusing to heed God’s warnings, he led his entire country into a colossal “splat.”
Let us humbly accept that no matter how sure we may be that what we are doing is right, Solomon still warns us “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.” Let us heed the scriptural examples and the good advice from those who love us and want to help us prevent a big “splat.” Let us listen carefully to Hosea’s questions, “Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One