I am always taken by surprise when I hear seemingly good moral people say ever so nonchalantly that the problems of people they don't know or for whom they are not legally responsible for are "Not My Problem!" I am especially shocked when the opportunity presents itself for him or her to personally get involved as a part of a solution and they refuse to do so. It is even more disturbing to me when a professing Christian remains aloof from the Bible's clear commands to "bare one another's burdens."
I Have Had Some Personal Experiences That Reshaped The Way I Look At The Church And The Views Of Some Very Bold And Forceful Christians.
I had a brain tumor that slowly destroyed my life. As a result of the tumor I became a stranger to almost everyone who knew me. I lost all Inhibitions and eventually all contact with reality. I threw away or lost everything important to me. I spent time in a mental hospital and in jail. Did I deserve to be there? Yes, if you consider that I was suicidal and that I stole drugs to take in one of my attempts to kill myself. No, I didn't deserve to be there if you consider that my medical condition went undiagnosed for nearly twenty years and finally was discovered just two weeks before the tumor would have killed me. I had been to every type of specialists I knew of for help with my worsening condition. Unfortunately, my tumor was never found and I was treated for Meniere's disease, bipolar disorder, and even written off as a drunk who was struggling with mid-life crises. Where were the people who professed to have the Love of Christ in their heart? Most were comfortable in their "Why should I care" attitude. Did it really matter that they didn't help me, a stranger? It almost cost me my life!
I carried around a great deal of bitterness toward some of the people who I felt let me down in major ways after my diagnosis and surgery. Those who had made a big issue of my destructive lifestyle and who had told me they were praying that I would change, I expected more, and needed more help and compassion from them than I received. Even after the cause for my problems was discovered and surgically removed, I was left alone to suffer as a stranger inside a world of vague memories and alone to rebuild my life while still facing life threatening medical problems. I was told that my problems were no concern of theirs, but I was in their prayers.
These cold hearted, uncaring, professing Christians who, in most cases had known me for many years, let me experience six months of hell on Earth without even so much as an offer of a ride to my many, many doctor visits. Some, whom I had harmed, would not accept my request for forgiveness. One in particular told me that she wished I would die so that she could spit on my grave!
I believe I had just reasons for believing and expecting help from my Christian acquaintances. Not because I deserved their help. Not because the terrible things I put some of them through were of no consequence. I had reason to hope for help and forgiveness because these people were very vocal in their claims to love Jesus and to follow in His steps.
I know first hand of the experience of not having shoes to wear, of not having the money to go to the doctor, of being unable to get my prescriptions filled, of having no home and of being totally dependent upon the mercy of others. I understand the teachings of Christ to care for the needs of others from a whole new perspective.
Another Personal Experience That Reshaped My View Of The Church Was The Marriage Of My Daughter To A Wonderful Man who Is Half Black and Half Korean. I was shocked by the reaction of my Christian friends. People who had made a big issue of breaking down the walls of separation between all believers, in fighting segregation in their churches, people who professed to love all of God's children; these same people treated my daughter as though she had committed an unpardonable sin! My beautiful granddaughter has been called a "Zebra" baby and predictions have been made of a horrible life due to her being "mixed."
Yet Another Experience That Has Reshaped My Views And Professed Beliefs Of Some Christians Was The Marriage Of My Youngest Son To A Young Woman Who Had A Baby Before He Met Her. She was not married, solely because the man who got her pregnant refused to. This young girl refused the encouragement of others to have an abortion. She faced the world with courage and dignity and gave birth to a beautiful little girl, one of my sweet granddaughters. How many of her Christian acquaintances came to her aid? Only a few of her family members made the decision that the new baby and mother were any concern or responsibility of theirs.
Who Is There For Them To Turn To? They Turn To The Only Source Committed To Helping Them: The US Federal and GA State Governments. They certainly cannot count on the believers in Jesus Christ. They are the ones busy condemning her for being an unwed mother.
It is easy to go to the polls and vote on Election Day against a candidate who promotes a woman's choice to have an abortion. I am an opponent of abortion under all most every circumstance.
It is an easy decision to vote against tax supported programs that assist or supports the people on welfare. But when it comes to getting personally involved in taking responsibility for meeting the various needs of hurting and suffering people who cross our paths, most Christians I have turned to for help have been all talk and no do!
I Am Stating My Personal Convictions. Before you tune me out, read on and you might just find that you share some of my frustrations. Try to distinguish between the professed beliefs of many Christians and the true ways they believe as they are revealed in the lack of action they take toward strangers in need.
If those of us who claim to have the love of Christ in our hearts fail to do what Jesus would do, then we need to throw away those cute little wristbands that have WWJD, which stands for "What Would Jesus Do."
Wouldn't you agree that we are all horrified when we hear the headline grabbing stories about how a crowd of people passively watched as someone was kicked and beaten to death on a public sidewalk? We often loudly proclaim that if we had been there we would have offered help.
Some of us boldly state that we are against racial prejudice, or we stand against abortion or that people in need should be ministered to by the church. We can't believe that in a great country like ours a handicapped person could go to bed hungry. We protest that something should be done to correct these things we believe are tragic and evil.
The thing I find so shocking is that Christians can be so insensitive and uncaring toward the people God brings into their lives, especially a stranger; people who have pains, fears, unmet needs, and troubles.
How can a person sing so boldly in church of their love for Jesus and yet have absolutely no sense of responsibility for a stranger's needs? It is so cold hearted to state "It's not my problem" or "Why should I care?"
HEBREWS 13: 1-3 states that God wants us to care; 1) Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2) Do no forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3) Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
James 2:13 states "judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
Do Not Protest To Me "They Are not My Responsibility. Don't Ask "Why Should I Care?" Do Something! Live as though their suffering is your own. If your unwillingness to help an unwed mother results in the death of her child, are you not as guilty of murder as the doctor who ended a child's life in the womb? Could it be that your professed beliefs are not supported by your actions?
You may argue that the unwed mother brought her problems upon herself and it is not your place to pay for her mistakes. Let me ask you to consider that it was not the child's decision to be conceived. No human being is a mistake! If you believe it is wrong to abort the baby why can't you see that it is your responsibility to help keep it alive after it is born? It is not a mistake for a child to be hungry. It is not a sin for a mother to raise a child alone. Yes, sex outside of marriage is sin! But it is no less a sin to punish a helpless child because his or her mother is unmarried.
You may argue that it is not your responsibility help meet the needs of the sick and the suffering. I do believe that the Bible says other wise!
If you believe that it is wrong to stand idly by as some poor soul is beaten to death, stop your idle boast of "If I was there I would have defended that defenseless person." If you are unwilling to help a disabled person who needs to be rescued from problems and situations they cannot handle and therefore are suffering as a result, you are a guilty bystander who should be too ashamed to condemn anyone else for being selfish or cowardly.
If you believe that it is wrong to judge a person by the color of their skin, then why do you not protest the fact that your church or, more close to home, your family, refuses to allow a person of another race to become a church of family member? Do you honestly believe that God will not judge you for refusing to love your brother?
I Am Shocked That Any Christian Would Ever Believe That The Needs Of Others Are Nothing To Them, Not Their Responsibility, And Could Even Ask Themselves, Why Should I Care? Are you willing to take care of those in your life that have deeds you can meet, even strangers! Why? It is God's will that you do so. Realize that material possessions are simply loaned to you by God to be used for His Glory. You will be rewarded in heaven accordingly.
Keep Your Views To Yourself If Your Actions Contradict Your Words. Those With Needs Are Simple Too Tired And Disgusted To Tolerate Hypocrisy.
You may not be able to stop abortions from occurring, but you can feed a child and make sure that at least one who, even a stranger to you, has a chance to survive after birth.
You may never need to rescue a victim from being beaten to death on a public sidewalk, but it is a sure thing that you can and should help someone rebuild his or her life after it has been destroyed by sickness or by accident. They too are innocent victims in need of a rescue.
I know of no human being capable of eradicating all racial prejudice, but you can have an influence in your church and your family that encourages a love among all of God's children. You can befriend a stranger who has been the victim of mistreatment due to the color of their skin.
Remember that we should all care about the welfare and the well being of one another. It doesn't matter if you are legally responsible as a citizen of our country to care or not. What does matter is that as a citizen of God's family we are commanded by our Lord and Savior to care!
If You Don't Have The Compassion Of Your Words, Then Don't Boast Of Convictions You Don't Really Have. Pray about the needs of the people God allows you to know. Ask our Lord to create in you a heart that desires to make the needs and the sufferings of others yours. Seek the Lord's will and He will give you wisdom and show you a direction to take in helping those in need. Ask Him to create in you the Image of Christ, who, although being God, took upon Himself, the needs of every one He met.
Written by:
Jerry H. Miller / [email protected]
I Have Had Some Personal Experiences That Reshaped The Way I Look At The Church And The Views Of Some Very Bold And Forceful Christians.
I had a brain tumor that slowly destroyed my life. As a result of the tumor I became a stranger to almost everyone who knew me. I lost all Inhibitions and eventually all contact with reality. I threw away or lost everything important to me. I spent time in a mental hospital and in jail. Did I deserve to be there? Yes, if you consider that I was suicidal and that I stole drugs to take in one of my attempts to kill myself. No, I didn't deserve to be there if you consider that my medical condition went undiagnosed for nearly twenty years and finally was discovered just two weeks before the tumor would have killed me. I had been to every type of specialists I knew of for help with my worsening condition. Unfortunately, my tumor was never found and I was treated for Meniere's disease, bipolar disorder, and even written off as a drunk who was struggling with mid-life crises. Where were the people who professed to have the Love of Christ in their heart? Most were comfortable in their "Why should I care" attitude. Did it really matter that they didn't help me, a stranger? It almost cost me my life!
I carried around a great deal of bitterness toward some of the people who I felt let me down in major ways after my diagnosis and surgery. Those who had made a big issue of my destructive lifestyle and who had told me they were praying that I would change, I expected more, and needed more help and compassion from them than I received. Even after the cause for my problems was discovered and surgically removed, I was left alone to suffer as a stranger inside a world of vague memories and alone to rebuild my life while still facing life threatening medical problems. I was told that my problems were no concern of theirs, but I was in their prayers.
These cold hearted, uncaring, professing Christians who, in most cases had known me for many years, let me experience six months of hell on Earth without even so much as an offer of a ride to my many, many doctor visits. Some, whom I had harmed, would not accept my request for forgiveness. One in particular told me that she wished I would die so that she could spit on my grave!
I believe I had just reasons for believing and expecting help from my Christian acquaintances. Not because I deserved their help. Not because the terrible things I put some of them through were of no consequence. I had reason to hope for help and forgiveness because these people were very vocal in their claims to love Jesus and to follow in His steps.
I know first hand of the experience of not having shoes to wear, of not having the money to go to the doctor, of being unable to get my prescriptions filled, of having no home and of being totally dependent upon the mercy of others. I understand the teachings of Christ to care for the needs of others from a whole new perspective.
Another Personal Experience That Reshaped My View Of The Church Was The Marriage Of My Daughter To A Wonderful Man who Is Half Black and Half Korean. I was shocked by the reaction of my Christian friends. People who had made a big issue of breaking down the walls of separation between all believers, in fighting segregation in their churches, people who professed to love all of God's children; these same people treated my daughter as though she had committed an unpardonable sin! My beautiful granddaughter has been called a "Zebra" baby and predictions have been made of a horrible life due to her being "mixed."
Yet Another Experience That Has Reshaped My Views And Professed Beliefs Of Some Christians Was The Marriage Of My Youngest Son To A Young Woman Who Had A Baby Before He Met Her. She was not married, solely because the man who got her pregnant refused to. This young girl refused the encouragement of others to have an abortion. She faced the world with courage and dignity and gave birth to a beautiful little girl, one of my sweet granddaughters. How many of her Christian acquaintances came to her aid? Only a few of her family members made the decision that the new baby and mother were any concern or responsibility of theirs.
Who Is There For Them To Turn To? They Turn To The Only Source Committed To Helping Them: The US Federal and GA State Governments. They certainly cannot count on the believers in Jesus Christ. They are the ones busy condemning her for being an unwed mother.
It is easy to go to the polls and vote on Election Day against a candidate who promotes a woman's choice to have an abortion. I am an opponent of abortion under all most every circumstance.
It is an easy decision to vote against tax supported programs that assist or supports the people on welfare. But when it comes to getting personally involved in taking responsibility for meeting the various needs of hurting and suffering people who cross our paths, most Christians I have turned to for help have been all talk and no do!
I Am Stating My Personal Convictions. Before you tune me out, read on and you might just find that you share some of my frustrations. Try to distinguish between the professed beliefs of many Christians and the true ways they believe as they are revealed in the lack of action they take toward strangers in need.
If those of us who claim to have the love of Christ in our hearts fail to do what Jesus would do, then we need to throw away those cute little wristbands that have WWJD, which stands for "What Would Jesus Do."
Wouldn't you agree that we are all horrified when we hear the headline grabbing stories about how a crowd of people passively watched as someone was kicked and beaten to death on a public sidewalk? We often loudly proclaim that if we had been there we would have offered help.
Some of us boldly state that we are against racial prejudice, or we stand against abortion or that people in need should be ministered to by the church. We can't believe that in a great country like ours a handicapped person could go to bed hungry. We protest that something should be done to correct these things we believe are tragic and evil.
The thing I find so shocking is that Christians can be so insensitive and uncaring toward the people God brings into their lives, especially a stranger; people who have pains, fears, unmet needs, and troubles.
How can a person sing so boldly in church of their love for Jesus and yet have absolutely no sense of responsibility for a stranger's needs? It is so cold hearted to state "It's not my problem" or "Why should I care?"
HEBREWS 13: 1-3 states that God wants us to care; 1) Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2) Do no forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. 3) Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.
James 2:13 states "judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!"
Do Not Protest To Me "They Are not My Responsibility. Don't Ask "Why Should I Care?" Do Something! Live as though their suffering is your own. If your unwillingness to help an unwed mother results in the death of her child, are you not as guilty of murder as the doctor who ended a child's life in the womb? Could it be that your professed beliefs are not supported by your actions?
You may argue that the unwed mother brought her problems upon herself and it is not your place to pay for her mistakes. Let me ask you to consider that it was not the child's decision to be conceived. No human being is a mistake! If you believe it is wrong to abort the baby why can't you see that it is your responsibility to help keep it alive after it is born? It is not a mistake for a child to be hungry. It is not a sin for a mother to raise a child alone. Yes, sex outside of marriage is sin! But it is no less a sin to punish a helpless child because his or her mother is unmarried.
You may argue that it is not your responsibility help meet the needs of the sick and the suffering. I do believe that the Bible says other wise!
If you believe that it is wrong to stand idly by as some poor soul is beaten to death, stop your idle boast of "If I was there I would have defended that defenseless person." If you are unwilling to help a disabled person who needs to be rescued from problems and situations they cannot handle and therefore are suffering as a result, you are a guilty bystander who should be too ashamed to condemn anyone else for being selfish or cowardly.
If you believe that it is wrong to judge a person by the color of their skin, then why do you not protest the fact that your church or, more close to home, your family, refuses to allow a person of another race to become a church of family member? Do you honestly believe that God will not judge you for refusing to love your brother?
I Am Shocked That Any Christian Would Ever Believe That The Needs Of Others Are Nothing To Them, Not Their Responsibility, And Could Even Ask Themselves, Why Should I Care? Are you willing to take care of those in your life that have deeds you can meet, even strangers! Why? It is God's will that you do so. Realize that material possessions are simply loaned to you by God to be used for His Glory. You will be rewarded in heaven accordingly.
Keep Your Views To Yourself If Your Actions Contradict Your Words. Those With Needs Are Simple Too Tired And Disgusted To Tolerate Hypocrisy.
You may not be able to stop abortions from occurring, but you can feed a child and make sure that at least one who, even a stranger to you, has a chance to survive after birth.
You may never need to rescue a victim from being beaten to death on a public sidewalk, but it is a sure thing that you can and should help someone rebuild his or her life after it has been destroyed by sickness or by accident. They too are innocent victims in need of a rescue.
I know of no human being capable of eradicating all racial prejudice, but you can have an influence in your church and your family that encourages a love among all of God's children. You can befriend a stranger who has been the victim of mistreatment due to the color of their skin.
Remember that we should all care about the welfare and the well being of one another. It doesn't matter if you are legally responsible as a citizen of our country to care or not. What does matter is that as a citizen of God's family we are commanded by our Lord and Savior to care!
If You Don't Have The Compassion Of Your Words, Then Don't Boast Of Convictions You Don't Really Have. Pray about the needs of the people God allows you to know. Ask our Lord to create in you a heart that desires to make the needs and the sufferings of others yours. Seek the Lord's will and He will give you wisdom and show you a direction to take in helping those in need. Ask Him to create in you the Image of Christ, who, although being God, took upon Himself, the needs of every one He met.
Written by:
Jerry H. Miller / [email protected]
