DDD FACTOR

Have you ever heard of the DDD Factor? Devern Fromke shares this concept in his book, Stories that Open God’s Larger Window. He explains the development of his thought through preparation to officiate at the wedding service of his niece, Lynn, and her husband, Brett. For the wedding he asked the Lord for some special word for the couple. He writes:

I came to this verse: “Mercy and truth are met together…” (Ps. 85:10). Brett personified mercy, and to all her friends Lynn represented truth. All were convinced their lives would complement one another.

In all his compassion and caring, Brett (mercy) was vulnerable alone. He needed Lynn to come along side with truth to balance and make them complete. To know Lynn is to recognize one who is very convinced when a biblical principle is right; it must be carefully adhered to even if it has consequences you might not like. Yet sometimes Lynn might “seem” cold, or even harsh in her insistence that “truth is right.” So, we concluded God could accomplish in their family a divine balance.

Then, as I read further, I realized how the next line reinforced the same: “righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” I felt it was evident God was bringing Lynn (righteousness) to balance out Brett (peace). Now peace at any price is never right. But being right without any sensitivity for others will not produce harmony. So righteousness and peace need to “kiss each other.”

As I read those words I reflected on my own marriage. My wife and I have the opportunity to complement, and even complete each other, through differences. Fromke continues to explain how “different by design” is present in many situations:

Though I have recognized that this factor did exist for many years, I have only recently used this title to explain –

…Why in marriage opposites attract.
…Why in theology both sovereignty and responsibility exist.
…Why every church has Marthas (do-ers) and Marys (be-ers).
…Why in elders meetings you have inclusives and exclusives.
…Why in prayer meeting you have the silent (listeners to God) and the

vocal (talkers to God).
…Why in every family you have the cautious and the decisive.
…Why in every family you have both the receivers and givers.
…Why in every church fellowship you have passive (quietists who wait)

and you have active (pietists who move).
…Why in every country you have both settlers and pioneers.

It becomes evident in every area of life that we have people who act differently. Did this just happen, or should we recognize this as a Deliberately Designed Difference (or limitation)? The more I see this factor, which seems to be built into the fabric of things, I conclude it is God’s way of bringing balance ---His way of showing our need for one another, but also our great need for Him.

Fromke concludes:

Mercy and truth are like two wings of a bird. Peace and righteousness also need to complete one another. Yet too often these very virtues become competing issues, when God has designed them to be completing issues. Competing or completing – which will it be? How can mercy and truth complete one another, and accomplish God’s intention?

I’ll try to explain it this way: if truth is a thesis, and mercy is an antithesis - and only as both die, can they come into synthesis (or resurrection), then a new agreement or divine harmony is possible. God’s order and arrangement reveals wisdom.

If we try to keep this universe principles-centered we will remain frustrated, for every principle has its counter-balancing principle. God Himself must choose: will it be mercy or truth? Will it be peace or righteousness? Or will it be both? Because we are forever dependent upon a word (rhema) from the Lord, it is imperative that we recognize

this universe is Person-centered,
but by His design it is principles-governed,
and will be purpose fulfilling.

Hmmmm ... I think Fromke has some points to ponder. I suggest you read this post several times.