Previous Challenge Entry
Topic: Service (12/21/03)
TITLE: How to Be a Good Samaritan By Vic Zarley 12/29/03 |
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
How do we respond to anyone who scowls at us and insists we need to do something? Does it make us want to run out and do it? No! When someone shows interest in us and in our accomplishments and our lives, and really listens to us non-critically, we consider them a good friend.
Remember always, love is kind. Love is patient. Love is never over-bearing or fault-finding. Perfect love casts out fear (it certainly does not cause fear). So if we get impatient and want to blurt out how someone may need to be saved before their hearts are made ready by the Holy Spirit, we may jeopardize His work in bringing another lost soul Home.
We must remember that we cannot judge another human being. Who are we to think we know hearts better than God? Our judgments are always completely wrong if for no other reason than the Lord has asked us not to judge at all. So judging is disobedience, on the one hand and far off the mark of accuracy, on the other hand. Either way, it is simply not practical to try and “figure out” somebody. Leave that to God. Be an open door to the love of God. Show them you care. We should not have any agenda except to be alert to the Holy Spirit and praying for them in our hearts.
We should not walk in arrogance and self-righteousness--judging others for their beliefs, practices, race or preferences. The Lord showed compassion on the lost. He met them where they were and gently, tenderly discipled them into all truth. We must be careful, when witnessing to a potential convert, that we don’t beat them over the head with our understanding of truth.
Jesus went to the places where the lost and sinful dwelt. He spoke the truth to them, wherever they were and whatever they were doing. He healed them, blessed them, loved them. He did not curse the sinners.
Interestingly enough, we find that the only people Christ spoke harshly to were those who thought themselves to be in righteous standing with God, and walked in judgment toward the people--even considering themselves above Jesus Christ, Himself!
As Jesus said, we must remove the logs from our eyes FIRST before we can see to remove the speck in our brother’s eye. What tainted “logs” are we looking through that views certain people as attacking us? With the logs removed, we will be able to see they are calling for God’s love. Often we, free of our logs, are the only ones who can make His love available.
Let’s keep in mind that people are not drawn to our faith when we have labeled them “wrong.“ It could be considered an attack against them if we confront them about their beliefs or practices. Remember they may be speaking incorrect doctrin and and upside down philosophy, but because God created them, there is a spark within their hearts that seeks the one, true God. We need to learn to see beyond the appearances of error in other people, no matter what their doctrins or beliefs. When we have a sense of superiority rather than pure, Christ-like love, we build a wall that hinders, rather than leads them to Christ. Our judgment against them could be fatal to them coming to Christ. Is our being “right” more important than reaching this soul?
Learning to be a Good Samaritan can really open up our Christian lives to bless many more people who dwell outside our normal Christian circle. The challenge is set. We can’t witness and lead the lost to Christ if we remain secluded in self-righteous avoidance of them. Nor can we reach them if we have mentally lifted ourselves high above them.