Neglect
Now and in the days ahead, people will need our help somehow. They may need a listening ear, a hug of sympathy, a word of encouragement, a grocery bag of food, or an explanation of understanding. We should not ignore those around us nor neglect our duty to serve and help as we can.
Alexander MacLaren, a Baptist preacher and expositor (1826-1910), wrote about many things and subjects. Still, the Crime of Negligence got me thinking about those in my orbit of life. I share a portion of his writing below.
The Crime of Negligence
We are to use any power we possess to help others. Not doing so is a sin. Whether we intentionally or forgetfully neglect to do anything we can is a crime. To withhold help we can render or provide is to participate in the authorship of all the misery we have failed to relieve. He who neglects to save a life; kills. Our cities and communities are led by incompetent, inept, and bungling men or women in high positions. The indolent, lazy, and slothful ones in lower places of authority are responsible for the suffering of many. It is their blundering blindness that allows any suffering to continue. Misery is caused by their selfishness. Violence slays its thousands, but tens of thousands are destroyed by a failure to act or protest due to one’s moral weakness or laziness. Where the conditions are fatal to life, the guilt of blood lies on these people.
The Excuse of Negligence
We are obliged to know things. Even the most ignorant of us know. We cannot help knowing which condemns our neglect. Basically, there are no excuses for being negligent. To say, “We didn’t know,” is really a lie of a coward. Pretending ignorance is partly a false excuse. To neglect those in trouble and need around us is to be callous of heart to the woe and loss that other men suffer.
The Condemnation of Negligence
God watches the hearts of men and women with great diligence. This contrasts with our lazy and superficial looks. If God ‘takes pains’ to see after His children, we are bound to look with great care on each of our brethren. God seeks to know each of His children. Are we not bound or obligated to know one another? Are we too busy with our petty personal concerns to take an interest in helping the sorrows and fighting against the sins of the world? The strongest motive for seeking to save others is that God has saved us.
The Judgment of Negligence
Let us not forget that our works follow us in this life and the future. There is a judgment both presently and in the future for all men. Not only what they do but what they inconsistently fail to do. Deliver those that are appointed or sentenced to be slain unjustly. Don’t hesitate to help them with your faithful witness.
The Book of Revelation – personal journey
Am I crazy to read or study a book of prophecy, judgment, warnings, and hope? More people today have questions about the future with all that is going on world-wide. Many scholars have spent a lifetime pursuing an understanding of the Word of God. Yet, the God of the universe has given His word that all will occur as He has said. Revelation has much to say about the coming days for this world. So if you are of a mind, please join me in a journey into a future that you may never have imagined or thought possible. Let us look at the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
What follows comes from a Pre-Tribulation point-of-view, an explanation provided later. Much of the narrative comes from reading a detailed analysis and discussion by Dr. Jack Van Impe in his book titled Revelation Revealed – verse by verse. See all his work at www.JVIM.com. Another source is the commentary Exploring Revelation by John Phillips, available at various book outlets. This journey will be in segments by chapter. I highly recommend both resources.
There are three main views on when the Rapture of the Church will occur:
(1) Pre-Tribulation (the rapture occurring before the tribulation),
(2) Mid-Tribulation (it occurs somewhere at the mid-point of the tribulation), and
(3) Post-Tribulation (occurring at the end of the tribulation).
So what is the rapture anyway? The biblical passage in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 states that all believers in Jesus Christ, living or dead, will meet the Lord Jesus in the air and be with Him forever and ever. Then in 1 Thessalonians 5:9, the apostle Paul writes, “For God did not appoint us (believers) to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Also, Christ promised in Revelation 3:10 to keep believers from the hour of trial coming upon the earth. What is coming is not for them, but it is the time for Jacob’s trouble. Christ promises to keep believers from the trials in this time known as the Tribulation. A literal and consistent interpretation of the Bible lends itself to the pre-tribulation position as the most biblically-based view.
You can also find clear explanation to your biblical questions on www.gotquestions.org.
I plan to submit another posting each week until we conclude. Next, Book of Revelation – Chapter 1
A Life Full of Light
The verses above come from a rich vein of truth found in God’s Word (the Bible). Here we are expected to diligently study our Bible for this to become true in our own experience. But what do we mean by ‘diligently’ study?
Your study of Holy Scripture must show great care and a persistent effort. I’m afraid that this is not simply a daily devotional reading that many of us have practiced for years. In this type of study, you give time for the Holy Spirit to teach you. One of His roles is to lead you into all truth. Such a diligent study of Scripture gives you the ability to rightly divide the Word of God as Paul spoke of to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:15.
I know that you may be thinking that you don’t have time; perhaps some time later which never seems to come. Yes, been there and done that. You’re doing okay right now why worry. Keep in mind a contrasting verse from a Proverbs 28:26, “He that trusts in his own heart is a fool…” So don’t be a fool, be committed to the Lord totally. Be one of the minority who reads and searches God’s Word thoroughly. Ask questions! There are not many who do so today.
So ask yourself, as I ask myself, am I fully committed to God? Is His Word a priority in my life? Is my whole life full of light or does some darkness remain? I wish you well on your journey.
If Circumstances were Different, Would Any of Us be Different?
Days are coming when this question will be relevant to many. Let’s follow the lie and then the truth laid out by the author below.
Lie: If circumstances makes us who we are, then we are a victim of our circumstances. If a victim, then we are not really responsible. In other words, we simply cannot help the way we are.
However in reality, God says we are responsible for our actions regardless of the circumstances. It is not the failures of others, but for our own responses and lives that is our responsibility.
Truth: our circumstances merely reveal what we are.
Truth: if we are not content within our present circumstances, we are not likely to be happy in any other set of circumstances.
Truth: we can trust a wise, loving, sovereign God to control every circumstance of our lives.
Truth: “Joy, peace, and stability come from believing that every circumstance that touch’s our lives has first been filtered through His fingers of love and is part of a great, eternal plan that He is working out in this world and in our lives.”
Lies Women Believe (and I would add…and Men also believe)
and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Lie #36
Discipline…Why?
Perhaps, like many of us, you have wondered why do bad things seem to happen to people we know that do good for others. The writer of Hebrews asks a related question, “…for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” found in the 12th chapter of Hebrews, verse 7. The implied answer is NONE. For every true child of God is disciplined at one time or another. Since every child is unique, then God knows exactly how to be most effective with each individual believer. So we now know that all of God’s children do suffer.
Psalms 34:19 states “Many are the afflictions of the righteous; but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” In John 16:33 Jesus says, “In the world you shall have tribulations; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” And the apostle Paul stated, “…all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” in 2 Timothy 3:12. And there are probably many other references in Scripture if time allowed.
Why then do believers in Jesus Christ suffer at all? I turned to one of my favorite bible scholars, J. Vernon McGee, to see what he had learned over so many years in ministry and his own suffering. He listed seven reasons which are summarized below.
Causes of suffering are because:
(1) of our own stupidity or foolishness and our own sin,
(2) we took a stand for truth and righteousness,
(3) we suffer for sin in our lives which are not dealt with yet,
(4) of our past sins; though forgiven, the fruit of that sin may linger,
(5) of some lofty purpose of God which He does not always reveal to the believer,
(6) of one’s faith in God, and
(7) of discipline. This is training in righteousness; not punishment. Our discipline is an example of God’s love for us.
At times, I wonder if I have been disciplined enough. Discipline is not something I look forward to experiencing. It usually proves to be uncomfortable for me. But I trust that God wants the best for me and He can be trusted on the when, the how, the method, and the length necessary to accomplish in me what He wishes to accomplish.
Thank you for spending your time with me. Hopefully, this was helpful to someone.
Bill Wyler
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