High Expectations

by John Comer

Abel Jones is a dedicated man. He’s the hero in Owen Parry’s series of Civil War era novels, the latest being Call Each River Jordan.

In view of his being both a Welshman and a Methodist, Abel holds himself to high personal expectations. He realizes that not everyone shares the strength of his bloodline or the standards of his faith, but he steadfastly views the world from these two strong positions.

While on a sensitive mission from President Lincoln, Abel meets Confederate General Pierre G. T. Beauregard. “If cologne water won battles,” Abel observes, this general “would have won the war by himself.” He finds in Beauregard a “Frenchy taint,” derived no doubt “from New Orleans, a Sodom with infernal weather.” And Abel informs us, “All whispers of Welsh blood in him are groundless. But it is not our lot to judge others, so I will not prejudice your opinion of him.”

While still at Beauregard’s headquarters, Abel is taken aback when offered beefsteak for breakfast. “No Methodist would succumb to such indulgence,” Abel observes, “Bacon will do for an early-rising Christian.” And later, while visiting in a home following an unusually exhausting day, Abel gets a before supper visit to the bedroom he is to occupy for the night. The bed looks tempting. But Abel assures us, “I did not indulge, not even for a minute, for reclining before the proper hour breeds sloth. A Christian man sits upright until bedtime.”

Do you find the standards Abel sets for himself more than just a bit stringent? Even vestiges of such an ethic would be hard to come by these days. But that doesn’t mean we’re without lasting principles.

In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), his followers are given standards that have been described as the Christian Counter-culture. In the opening verses of this sermon (the Beatitudes), he introduces us to eight character qualities that mark God’s people: Blessed are the poor in spirit and those who mourn. Also the meek. Do you remember to whom the other five blessings are given?

In Romans 12:2, Paul says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Abel Jones, admittedly a fictitious gentleman, may have strained the intent of such teaching. But those of us who are real people need to keep in touch with the real expectations that our Lord holds for us.