2016 MEMORY VERSE #9

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent upon anybody” (1Thes 4.11,12).

First time I read this verse, I thought there was a misinterpretation somewhere. Surely, Paul isn’t imploring us to “mind your own business” and “not be dependent upon anybody?” When I decided to memorize the verse, I looked into the context of the epistle learning that these Christians were so expectant of Christ’s return that they gave up working and their hunger sent them door-to-door begging for handouts while also sharing the Gospel. Obviously, not a good representation of our Lord’s message.

When one is dependent upon another financially, spiritually, or emotionally, they become beholden to the desires, beliefs, and traditions of the one upon whom they depend. If another studies the Word for me, then my knowledge is a lesser version of theirs. If my paycheck depends upon the tithes, offerings, or charity of others rather than “working with your hands,” then my inclination will be to please those who pay my bills. In other words, dependency upon people, even those who belong to Christ, negates dependency to our Lord.

Non-Christians do not respect the Christian who knows God’s Word but doesn’t know his own job well enough to do it. They respect those who do their job well and “quietly,” even more if their religion preaches kindness, humility, and compassion. Like me, you’ve probably never met a Christian who came to Christ because of a sermon alone; but rather because they saw Jesus reflected in the lives of those they respected.

May my life win the respect of outsiders as God’s Word through me wins their hearts and minds.

YOU MIGHT BE A WATCHMAN IF… (1)

Some days I ask myself, “Why do you write these blogs, thoughts, and posts since no one cares what you think or reads your nonsense anyway? Why do you talk to people about Jesus, invite them to Bible study, or witness to them when they don’t care? Why do you speak if no one will listen?

This oxymoronic practice of speaking when no one listens seems to be a norm for God’s servants. He told Jeremiah to speak despite the fact that “they will not answer you” (Jer 7.27) and commanded Ezekiel, “You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse to hear” (Ez 2.7). Even Jesus said the reason He spoke in parables was that “though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding… For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears” (Mt 13.13-15).

So why speak at all if no one listens? Every time I read the story of the watchman from Ezekiel, I get convicted about not speaking or writing enough, feeling like the blood of many will be on my hands if I don’t open my mouth or type on my keyboard. Am I just crazy or is the conviction I feel one that other Christians ought to consider?

When I was a private in the Army, I fell asleep on guard duty one night and my entire platoon was “killed” by the opposing force because I didn’t keep watch. This thought haunts me when I consider what God told Ezekiel, “I have made you a watchman… When I say to the wicked, ‘…you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked… that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand” (Eze 33.7-8).

How many times has God warned and I did not speak?

You and I might be watchmen if we’ve experienced guilt for not speaking as our duty commands.