Harmful and sinful practices often begin with perfectly good intentions. Sometimes the problem is the over-emphasis of one point of righteousness to the exclusion of other equally important principles. This was a distinctive failing of the Jews in Jesus' day (Matthew 23:23). The same attitude can be and is a problem among Christians today.
For instance, one might read Jesus' warning about riches in Matthew 19:23-26 and decide, at all costs, to avoid the evil to which riches can lead. But, ignoring such passages as 1 Timothy 5:17-19, Ephesians 4:28 or 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12, he quits a good-paying job and thus becomes a burden to others. I am sure all of us would agree that such an one had become unbalanced, and downright sinful in his effort to flee from a specified danger.
While I have seldom heard of the example above among brethren, there is one area of wide-spread imbalance which, I believe, does exist and is hindering our efforts to reach the lost. I am speaking of our prevalent practice of completely isolating ourselves from any meaningful association with people in the world.
Now it is indeed true that the Bible abounds with warnings of the evil influence which our associates can have on us (1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17). In reaction to these and other warnings, could it not be that we have become unbalanced? We "hole up" in our comfortable church buildings and classes, limiting our association to those of "like precious faith," with the possible exceptions of those who have already expressed some interest in the truth. Oh, it's true that we occasionally may take expeditions "out into enemy territory" and invite an "outsider" to services or to a Bible class. And (don't miss the point) we should extend such invitations. The imbalance is that we have largely ceased to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" that Jesus intended us to be (Matthew 5:13-16). What good is the salt if it's isolated on the table in a fancy container? What good is light if it is hidden under a basket? We've got to be "amongst 'em" if we're going to influence 'em! Jesus, our greatest Example, was viewed as "a friend of sinners" (Matthew 11:18-19). The lonely, sin-sick and suffering saw Him as their friend -- not as the Pharisees with their isolationist, "I'm better than you," "touch me not" attitude. In this respect, are we not sometimes closer in identity to the Pharisees than with our Lord?
Of course we must beware the evil influence that unbelievers can have -- just as we must beware the evil influence that worldly ambition and the riches of this world can have upon us. But keep some balance here. The only ones from whom Christians are specifically commanded to withdraw association are incorrigible brethren (1 Corinthians 5:5-11). Take a close look at verse 10 in that passage.
Like our Lord, let's become "a friend of sinners," not in order that they might influence us back to the world - but that we might be able to influence them to the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. -- Bob West, The Milpitas Messenger, November, 1995
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The mission of the church is to change people. Our object should never be that of just winning an argument or making a point. Our goal should never be just to "put down" someone; rather, we want them to change their minds and their lives to conform with the saving gospel of Christ. To this end, all of our collective and individual efforts should be devoted. It therefore behooves us to consider how we might get people to change. There are only three possible ways by which men have ever been changed: (1) By Force; (2) By Purchase; or (3) By persuasion. Men and even nations have been changed by the use of physical force. When a person's life or physical welfare is sufficiently threatened by the use of force, he will usually submit to the will of another. The history books are full of examples of this kind of change. Likewise, if a sufficient price or consideration is offered to most people, they will change their lives to conform to the will of the purchaser. This is readily recognized in the area of wages or even bribes. Man's conduct is also changed by the power of persuasion. When compelling reasons are given for a different course of action, a person may frequently be convinced to change both his mind and his conduct.
Now, of these three ways by which man can be changed, which is/are acceptable for use by Christians? It should be obvious that neither Force nor Purchase is acceptable in trying to change others. Neither one of these methods has anything to do with changing the mind of the individual. These methods might change his actions. But they will not change his convictions. Belief in what is right cannot be imposed on the human mind by either force or money. Even the change in conduct wrought by these methods lasts only as long as the force or the money holds out.
The only tool, therefore, left to the Christian is the power of Persuasion. This is precisely as God has ordained it:
"Therefore knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men..." -- 2 Corinthians 5:1
"...and he was explaining to them by solemnly testifying about the kingdom of God, and trying to persuade them concerning Jesus, from both the Law of Moses and from the Prophets, from morning until evening." -- Acts 28:23
Our Lord is not interested in forced service or bribed obedience. He is interested in people being persuaded to "obey from the heart" (Romans 6:17). God desires a transformation of the whole man which begins with "the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).
While the power of persuasion is all we have, it is enough! The only thing that renders it ineffective is our refusal or negligence to use it. May God always find us busily engaged in using the power of persuasion to change men. -- Bob West, The Milpitas Messenger, November, 1995 Above are the words to a song I heard a long time ago. Every now and then one hears some simple little statement which jars him into thinking of life more seriously. Such is the case with this statement. We can't do anything to change the past. We can affect the future only by what we plan and DO today - for today is the first day of the rest of our life!
God has graciously given to each of us a measure of health, wealth, and opportunity. What are we going to do with these blessings TODAY? "SOMEDAY" may never come. But TODAY is here RIGHT NOW. The message of the gospel is "TODAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts..."; "NOW is the accepted time...NOW is the day of salvation."
TODAY is the most important day of your life, for it is the "first day of the rest of your life." Make the most of it by yielding your life to Christ through obedience to His will. -- Bob West, The Milpitas Messenger, November, 1995
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