In Vogue To Be Vague by Allan Turner
(http://www.allanturner.com)
We are told that in order to be effective, preaching must "relate the ambiguities of the New Testament to the complexities of modern society." We are pretty sure we know what that means, and it isn't "shelling the corn and showing the cob." But, in case you haven't noticed, it is now in vogue to be vague. We even know of two people who, after attending an entire series of gospel meetings, thought we were advocating interdenominational and not nondenominational Christianity. Although all the blame for this ought not to be put on the preacher, fifty years ago no one would have made such a mistake after attending one of our gospel meetings.
In truth, we are drifting and have no one to blame but ourselves. Wanting to have our ears tickled, we are accumulating to ourselves teachers in accordance with our own desires (II Timothy 4:3). In Matthew 11:7, the Lord, speaking about John the Baptist, asked the people of His day, "What did you go out into the wilderness to see?" If asked that question today, many might answer, "We want to see a dandy dressed in three hundred dollar suits with matching shoes, along with gold chains, bracelets and diamond rings, using four hundred dollar words that impress but do not offend."
Josiah Holland, who lived in the century before this one, knew the remedy for our current situation. He said: "God give us men. A time like this demands strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands; men whom the lust of office cannot buy; men who will not lie; men who stand before a demagogue and damn his treacherous flatteries without winking; tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog; in public duty and private thinking."
Real men are hard to find, and always have been. It has been said that in order to emphasize the difficulty of finding a man of integrity in ancient Athens, the Greek philosopher Diogenes lighted a lamp in the daylight and went searching for one. Years before this alleged event, Jerusalem could have been saved if one man of integrity could have been found within the city (cf. Jeremiah 5:1). Even the apostle Paul recognized the difficulty in finding a real man when he said, "for all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's" (Philippians 2:21).
May God give us men who are willing to use "great plainness of speech" (II Corinthians 3:12). At the same time, we pray there is enough spirituality left among churches of Christ that we don't slay all such plain speakers.
The Danger of Institutionalized Compassion by Warren E.
Berkley
Reprinted from the April 2001 issue of The Expository Files
(http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4051/)
Compassion is the sympathetic awareness of the distress of others along with a desire to alleviate it, and the corresponding behavior. The short definition is - you care and you respond with whatever legitimate help you are able to give. Compassion is not just a warm emotion, a popular plank in a political platform, the fervor of a cause or the "conscience" of an organization. It is care you have for your neighbor with all that care prompts. Biblical compassion never contradicts the truth and never causes or condones any wrong.
By "institutionalized" compassion I mean, the practice of setting up and maintaining organizations and institutions for the purpose of doing the work prompted by personal compassion. Individuals believe they must show compassion to the deserving needy, but for a variety of reasons, personal action is deemed inexpedient, so financial resources are pooled to set up and maintain an organization that does that work.
In favor of this, there is work that requires the oversight and effort of professionals and experts. For instance, I cannot fight cancer in the laboratory, but I can send a donation to the American Cancer Society. We have accepted the role of charitable organizations and we applaud the good outcome. Likewise, there are various functions of governments which require the agency of collective organizations: I cannot fight crime, extinguish fires or provide medical treatment for the poor. I can pay taxes so that government agencies can do that work. Private or public, in our society we have accepted the role of various agencies and institutions.
The problem with institutionalized compassion is, it indirectly encourages personal apathy and negligence. If I do not carefully monitor my attitude, I can progressively become indifferent and irresponsible in my response to human need. I can develop the almost unconscious assumption that the whole of my duty toward my fellow man is fulfilled through the institutions that receive my donations and taxes.
I cannot recommend that we destroy all such organizations, or that we cease the support we give them (voluntarily or involuntarily in the case of taxes.) In many cases, these organizations do needed work that falls outside the realm of individual endeavor. But ...
We must not perpetuate the habit of interpreting what the Bible says to individuals as an argument to build another institution or write another check. And when we read the instructions the apostles gave to local churches, individuals and families -- we must observe those distinctions (1 Tim. 5:16). Most important, I must study and pray that I might grow in mercy and compassion toward others. "He who oppresses the poor reproaches his Maker, but he who honors Him has mercy on the needy," (Prov. 14:31). Let it be carefully noted, the person who honors God has mercy on the needy. I must personally take this to heart in my daily behavior, not just in my budget.
The Jericho Road by W. Frank Walton
(Reprinted from devotional@biblical-insights.org)
1. The Scene. "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead" (Luke 10:30). J.W. McGarvey observes, "The road from Jerusalem to Jericho is eighteen miles long, and descends about 3,500 feet...It passes through desolate mountain ravines without any habitation save the inn, the ruins of which are still seen about halfway to Jericho...Jerome tells that the road was called the 'bloody way'"(The Fourfold Gospel, p. 476). H. Leo Boles adds, as our picture shows, "This road to Jericho was through a narrow, deep ravine with holes, caves, and hiding places for robbers" (Luke, p. 224).
2. The Story. "The Jericho Road" is the scene of the great lesson Jesus taught about the Good Samaritan concerning being a compassionate neighbor to anyone in need. Loving our neighbor moves us serve the best interest of a fellow human being. This immortal lesson is in response to a "testy" lawyer who asked for a precise definition of who exactly constitutes a "neighbor" (Lk 10:29). The Jericho Road is where, literally, "the rubber meets the road," in turning our religion from an academic exercise to a practical reality. Vicious robbers had left a man half-dead and destitute. Two religious experts (a Levite and a priest - sort of like a preacher and a guest editor of a religious paper) passed by without getting involved (Luke 10:31-32). A lowly Samaritan, loathed by the Jews as unclean degenerates, had compassion, got involved and inconvenienced, and sacrificially helped this poor man so he could live (Luke 10:33-35).
3. The Sedulity (or Application). On the Jericho Road, the quibbling lawyer comes to a fork in the road. The Lord turns the tables on him by turning his theoretical quibble (Who is my neighbor?) into a practical challenge: "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?" And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same" (Lk 10:36-37). Arguing to evade loving obedience doesn't accomplish obedience.
The prime motive behind all obedience, as the lawyer professed and Jesus affirmed, is genuine, heart-felt love: "love the Lord your God with all your heart...and your neighbor as yourself" (Lk 10:27-28). Jesus excoriates the worthlessness of mere theoretical religion. Right theory is only right in our lives unless we translate love into life. On the Jericho Road, even amid the rough and tumble inconveniences of humanity, we need to go from theory to practice. "Pity weeps and runs away; compassion comes to help and stays" (J.C. O'Leary).
Compassion is getting into the skin of a fellow human being and feeling their plight. Such can energize us to help wherever needed. "When you help someone else up the hill, you reach the top yourself." We especially should have compassion on helping our brethren (Gal 6:10). In practicing the truth, we should be even concerned with the personal welfare of those we may disagree. We also need to have compassion on the lost, and bind up their wounds with the gospel of Christ.
Perhaps we need to follow the Samaritan on the Jericho Road to relearn compassion.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Our weekly services are held at 1318 Griffin Road, Leesburg, Florida
34748.
Phone: (352) 365-9946 for times of services.
Web site: http://www.geocities.com/~cdillinger/cocbs/cocbshp.htm
Buddy Payne will present three lessons on Creationism Vs Evolution August 9-11, each evening at 7:30 PM. Please make your plans to attend these lectures and invite your friends and neighbors.
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
BIBLE INSIGHT is published for the members of, and visitors to,
the Church of Christ at Beverly Shores, Leesburg, Florida, USA.
Carey Dillinger is the editor. He can be reached at the church
address or via e-mail: dillinc@yahoo.com