Similarity and Congruence: Things that are the same aren't JUST similar!

I was struck by an intriguing thought while teaching my geometry class yesterday.  In the middle of teaching the lesson, I paused for maybe 10 or 15 seconds and said nothing.  I'm sure my students thought I was stumped or confused (I swear that never happens!), but this time I was simply left speechless by a profound realization: things that are the same are not JUST similar.  The principle, as it applied to geometry, was that polygons considered to be congruent can be made to coincide and are alike in every aspect.  All the corresponding angles and measurements are equal.  On the other hand, polygons that are merely similar cannot necessarily be made to coincide.  Although the internal angles are equal, the sides simply need to be proportional to one another to qualify as similar.  To be congruent, the sides must be exactly equal.

OK, geometry lesson over!  I could not help but to take a brief moment to reflect, right then and there in the middle of class, on how that same principle applied to my life.  As a Christian, I must be careful to make sure that my life is CONGRUENT with Scriptural principles and not just similar.  You see, being proportional to Bible truth is not good enough.  I must line up totally with the way God has ordained how things are done.  If Scripture dictates that "no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me", then I must come to God through Christ.  Not through works, which would be in proportion or correlation to Scripture but at the same time not exact.  I must exactly reflect Bible truth to be right!  I cannot be satisfied with just being close.

So many in "Christianity" today have settled for just being in proportion to Biblical standards.  Lining up exactly is too "extreme" and doesn't go over well with the mainstream.  So out go the hymn books and up go the hem lines!  Caving to pressure from the wordly system to more closely reflect back its attributes has led to a rampant increase in "proportional" Christianity.  The old-time "congruent" Christians are labeled as irrelevant and it is believed that they must forfeit influence with the lost.  Hogwash!  Any man, saved or not, with any kind of character will sooner or later recognize the strength exhibited by a man true to his convictions.  The "proportional" crowd will soon be found out as they constantly change with the ebb and flow of the wordly influence that holds sway over their lives.  The "congruent" folk will find favor with a man of conviction that will recognize that they stay true to a consistent set of standards.

To achieve congruence, strict standards must be maintained.  If any one element is off, congruence cannot be achieved.  Precise measurements must be taken to ensure congruence.  Daily Bible reading and prayer time must be followed so that we can be accurately measured against the standard of God's Word.  This is the only way that we can be sure to stay within the guidelines for congruence.  Similarity and proportion can be achieved without undergoing such rigorous examination, which is why it is often the preferred choice.  Not as much labor or skill is required to generate something that only approximates something else.  It is easier for someone with a talent for music to mix worldly accompaniment with a good lyric and be recognized than to stay true to Biblical musical standards and only ever sing in their local church choir.  Wealth and fame do not often accompany congruence.

Similarity can be a dangerous thing, as it can be mistaken for the real thing.  How many well-meaning folks have been led astray by wolves in sheep's clothing?  How many sincere Christians have been duped by the "proportional" TV preacher who promised a "harvest" if only you would sew your "seed" with his ministry?  Similarity is the scourge of the 21st century Church.  We must be sober and vigilant that we not fall under the illusion that it is alright to merely be similar.

Are you proportional or congruent?  Are you merely wanting a semblance of Christianity without going whole-hog and diving in?  Afraid to line up exactly?  Is being close good enough for you?  I urge you to choose congruence and know what it is to live exactly within the will of Almighty God.