Hearing the Call: A Christian's Duty to Respond
Josh. 10:6b
…come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us…
Can you hear the cries of your brethren pleading for YOUR help? Or, are you, like too many, covered with so much noise in your life that you can no longer hear their cries? Thank God Joshua responded, and God wrought a great victory for his people; however, my thoughts today are towards so many in God’s service crying for help, and getting none. The Bible teaches us that in the last days, because of the abundance of iniquity, the love of many shall wax cold (see Matt. 24:12). Can I be totally honest? Having been a Christian now since 1990 (you do the math), I have been highly disappointed with the amount of coldness and apathy within the body of Christ towards one another. I understand that it is not like that everywhere and I thank God for that, but to be honest, it goes on more than we are willing to admit, I do believe.
As a Pastor, as well as a friend to Pastors, I hear the stories all too often of the division and the strife that have no place within the ranks of the believers. Christ taught us in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” So, do we? This is a question each of us (including myself) has to look in the mirror and answer honestly to ourselves, and to God Almighty. Love is more than lip service. Love is illustrated by unconditional commitment to the success and wellbeing of others, at the cost of your own comforts if need be. Just look at the example Christ gave to us. Even while on the cross, when the thief asked Christ to simply remember him in Paradise, Jesus responded with help. Think of it. Dying in extreme pain and agony, Christ thought not of his own comfort, but the comfort of others, and extended grace and mercy to one who didn’t even ask forgiveness. He just wanted to be remembered.
As for us, we often have a reputation to keep, don’t we! We surely wouldn’t want to be seen with people of ill repute, HELPING them, of all things! We need our brethren to be impressed with our separation and holiness. Friend, if we get this attitude, then we have adopted the letter of the law, and have forsaken the spirit of grace. We MUST ALWAYS extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in Christ, REGARDLESS of whether or not we feel they are “worthy”, and REGARDLESS of whether or not other “brethren” will approve of our “association” with them. Can’t you hear their desperate cries, needing SOMEONE to come to their side? If so, I think you know what to do next!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill
…come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us…
Can you hear the cries of your brethren pleading for YOUR help? Or, are you, like too many, covered with so much noise in your life that you can no longer hear their cries? Thank God Joshua responded, and God wrought a great victory for his people; however, my thoughts today are towards so many in God’s service crying for help, and getting none. The Bible teaches us that in the last days, because of the abundance of iniquity, the love of many shall wax cold (see Matt. 24:12). Can I be totally honest? Having been a Christian now since 1990 (you do the math), I have been highly disappointed with the amount of coldness and apathy within the body of Christ towards one another. I understand that it is not like that everywhere and I thank God for that, but to be honest, it goes on more than we are willing to admit, I do believe.
As a Pastor, as well as a friend to Pastors, I hear the stories all too often of the division and the strife that have no place within the ranks of the believers. Christ taught us in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” So, do we? This is a question each of us (including myself) has to look in the mirror and answer honestly to ourselves, and to God Almighty. Love is more than lip service. Love is illustrated by unconditional commitment to the success and wellbeing of others, at the cost of your own comforts if need be. Just look at the example Christ gave to us. Even while on the cross, when the thief asked Christ to simply remember him in Paradise, Jesus responded with help. Think of it. Dying in extreme pain and agony, Christ thought not of his own comfort, but the comfort of others, and extended grace and mercy to one who didn’t even ask forgiveness. He just wanted to be remembered.
As for us, we often have a reputation to keep, don’t we! We surely wouldn’t want to be seen with people of ill repute, HELPING them, of all things! We need our brethren to be impressed with our separation and holiness. Friend, if we get this attitude, then we have adopted the letter of the law, and have forsaken the spirit of grace. We MUST ALWAYS extend a helping hand to our brothers and sisters in Christ, REGARDLESS of whether or not we feel they are “worthy”, and REGARDLESS of whether or not other “brethren” will approve of our “association” with them. Can’t you hear their desperate cries, needing SOMEONE to come to their side? If so, I think you know what to do next!
~ Pastor Gary Caudill