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| Have
You Ever Thought About It? |
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| Greg Byers |
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I am a Law and Order fan. A few evenings
ago I made the comment to Janet, “I know these stories are not
based on actual criminal cases, but they obviously get their
materials from real life goings-on!” It’s hard for me to
imagine the difficulty people get themselves into that lead to
violent acts against their spouses, children, other family
members, co-workers, or the total stranger. They call these
programs “TV drama” and that’s exactly what they
are—programs where people act out what is actually taking
place beyond the four walls of the television studio.
Have you ever thought about how people get themselves into these
situations? How do people end up with so much real-life drama in
their lives? There are a host of things that could be discussed
that might lead to these unfortunate ends, but they can all be
summed up in this way: when you run around with Satan you will
eventually start acting like him!
Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Philippi, chapter 4
verse one, “Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed
for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly
beloved.” He would continue in verse 8, “Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good
report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.”
It’s easy to look around and see how few people are giving
this idea the kind of attention it warrants. We know of the
abuse that goes on in the world. We read of the crimes that take
place in the streets of our cities; we watch the stories that
depict the hate and violence society must contend with. Yes, we
know all these things to be true. The challenge is to give this
passage the just consideration that my life deserves regardless
of the shortcomings of others. I’m but one person, one person
that God created, one person that Christ died to save, one
person who is in control of the thoughts and actions that take
place in my life. If I am unwilling to do the things necessary
to be the person I am capable of being in the eyes of Him who
gave me life, it is safe to say I will never have the influence
on these other situations I might otherwise have had. Sure, I
may be a good guy in the eyes of the world and I may be
influential in my community, but am I as good a guy as I should
be? If I have some positive influence on those I come in contact
with now, how much better would the quality of this influence be
if I were the Christian I am capable of becoming? Paul wrote
this for my contemplation: Greg, you need to be thinking about,
dwelling on true things, honest things, just things, pure
things, lovely things. You need to be thinking about things of
good report! If there is anything virtuous about you, THINK ON
THESE THINGS!
Tim Coffey recently closed one of his lessons with the simple
question, “What are you going to do about it?” I’m going
to exercise some literary license here by using his question and
applying it to the thoughts we’ve been reviewing. My problem
hardly ever has to do with me knowing what is the right thing.
My problem is following through with what I know to be right.
Maybe I’m different than any of you; maybe I’m the only one
who ever struggles in this area; maybe I need all of you to help
me get over the hump and so I stop struggling with things that
the rest of you no longer struggle with. I hope that is the
case, and if it is, I officially solicit your assistance. If
this is not the case, “What are we going to do about it?”
In one of our Wednesday night studies entitled, “The Gospel
Argument for God” we have considered the “opinions” of
many a “learned” individual in their efforts to reason away
the existence of God. As this study has progressed I have
experienced a host of different emotions. John Kirkwood asked,
“What was the biggest impression the study made on you?”
After giving his question a few minutes thought, I answered,
“I think it would be the passion, or possibly the absence of
passion, in my life when it comes to the level of my
conviction.”
1 Peter 3:15-16 states, “But sanctify the Lord God in your
hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness
and fear; Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak
evil of you, as evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely
accuse your good conversation in Christ.” There is so much in
this passage that applies to the ideas we have covered, but it
starts with giving God a place in your heart that no one else
occupies.
The more time and attention I determine to give to this
objective the less drama there will surely be in my life. How
much time are we giving to thinking about who we are, thinking
about who we can become and where we will then spend eternity
when the time for thinking is over? If it isn’t enough time,
“What are we going to do about it?” I’m thinking I need to
turn Law and Order off and get busy!
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Copyright (C)
2008
Southside Church of Christ
All rights reserved.
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