Friday, October 23, 2015

Pastor or Policeman: what shall it be?


Winston Churchill once remarked that eating his own words never gave him indigestion. Smart fellow, I must say. Some things are best left unsaid. Truth is, however, that far too often things left unsaid should have been said. As the Prophet Ezekiel reminds us.
"When I [God] say to the wicked, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to warn the wicked from his wicked way that he may live, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. "Yet if you have warned the wicked and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered yourself. "Again, when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity, and I place an obstacle before him, he will die; since you have not warned him, he shall die in his sin, and his righteous deeds which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood I will require at your hand." (Ezekiel 3:18-20 NIV)

So, saying the right thing at the right time is pretty important as far as God is concerned.

There is, however, a world of difference between forcing the issue, and a warning. Let me explain. E.S. Williams, one of longest serving General Superintendents once wrote—or words to this effect, that God has not called us to go out at night and take down the license plate number of every one attending an illegal cock fight. That," he said, "is a policemen's job, not yours as a pastor." Kind of an archaic way of putting it, but you must remember that I grew up in pretty archaic times when dog fights and cock fights were pretty exciting events for the manly sorts. (No, I've never been to a dog fight, although as a farm boy I've certainly seen my share of dog and cat fights! Incidentally, the cat usually wins.)

In any event, I am sure you get the point—that is, God has not called us to be policemen, but rather lifeguards. We warn of the hazards that are out there, put up signs that indicate the danger of the surf or sharks, and, yes, recue, if we can, the unfortunate ones who need it; but, even then, the swimmers can fight us off, if they wish. Of course this is only one of many analogies that can be used. We can be watchmen, or witnesses. But, nowhere do I find that God has called any of us to be policemen.

Now, I know that that attitude does not set well with the self-righteous, or religious bigot, but unless we are living in a covenanted and mutual relationship with God and one another, then the best we can do is warn, or witness, or rescue.

Now, lest there be any misunderstanding, I do feel that we have a covenanted relationship that must be kept to protect the innocent and helpless. God certainly makes that clear. Pure religion is in part to do just that—that is to defend, and protect the helpless.

I am yours for the journey, 

JimR_/

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