Friday, January 22, 2010
Nearly Right Is Not Always Good Enough
It was a gruesome story which I mention here only because it is so relevant to my point. A co-worker, who was not yet eighteen, shared the account with me in more detail than I will share it with you. It took place on a hunting trip in Montana. He and his buddy were squatting next to their vehicle, waiting anxiously for wild game to pass their way. Two fellow-hunters were standing on the opposite side of the vehicle, facing the same direction, with their rifles resting on the vehicle. Suddenly a deer appeared. Several of them shot at the same moment. Unfortunately my co-worker’s buddy had, instinctively, stood up in order get a better shot. His impulsive action put his head in the line of fire. Needless to say, at that range he died instantaneously. Ironically, he stood to become the victor and became the victim. For him, the only difference between a long life and a premature death was that he stood up.
The clear point of that true story is that doing something “nearly right” can be lethal. Small differences can have big consequences. Consider the following comparisons, noting the result of one small difference:
· Accepting an invitation to: come and dine OR come and die
· A paratrooper jumping from a plane and: pulling a shoulder strap OR a rip chord
· Eating a cone (yummy) OR eating a con (cannibalism)
· Traveling on a highway southbound in the southbound lanes OR northbound in the southbound lanes
· Slamming your foot down to avoid an accident: on the brake OR on the accelerator
In each case, nearly right could be lethal.
Obviously we can’t live our lives scared of messing up, but neither can we afford to be less than honest about the things that matter most. This reasonable rationale is what motivates us to show potential drivers movies about what happens when people are reckless or careless with their vehicle. That is also why we make laws against DWI and DWP (driving while phoning). There are some life and death situations that do not tolerate nearly right.
I propose that if heaven and hell are real, we had better find out which road leads where. If God is real, we had better know how He wants things done. We can’t settle for the philosophy that best suits our fancy. “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” (II Timothy 4: 3-5)
Here are a few things that some of us might only get nearly right -- which could have eternal consequences:
· Loving God BUT defining who God is according to our own preferences
· Attending church BUT out of ritual instead of relationship
· Praying BUT in fear rather than in faith
· Talking about holiness BUT not living holy
· Believing in salvation BUT not the kind of salvation taught by the original Christians
· Believing in the Holy Spirit BUT not as God’s power that lives within you
Nearly right could be spiritually lethal. While God is not expecting us to be perfect, he does expect sincerity of the heart and whole-hearted obedience to the Bible. If we get that right, God’s grace will cover the rest.
The clear point of that true story is that doing something “nearly right” can be lethal. Small differences can have big consequences. Consider the following comparisons, noting the result of one small difference:
· Accepting an invitation to: come and dine OR come and die
· A paratrooper jumping from a plane and: pulling a shoulder strap OR a rip chord
· Eating a cone (yummy) OR eating a con (cannibalism)
· Traveling on a highway southbound in the southbound lanes OR northbound in the southbound lanes
· Slamming your foot down to avoid an accident: on the brake OR on the accelerator
In each case, nearly right could be lethal.
Obviously we can’t live our lives scared of messing up, but neither can we afford to be less than honest about the things that matter most. This reasonable rationale is what motivates us to show potential drivers movies about what happens when people are reckless or careless with their vehicle. That is also why we make laws against DWI and DWP (driving while phoning). There are some life and death situations that do not tolerate nearly right.
I propose that if heaven and hell are real, we had better find out which road leads where. If God is real, we had better know how He wants things done. We can’t settle for the philosophy that best suits our fancy. “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.” (II Timothy 4: 3-5)
Here are a few things that some of us might only get nearly right -- which could have eternal consequences:
· Loving God BUT defining who God is according to our own preferences
· Attending church BUT out of ritual instead of relationship
· Praying BUT in fear rather than in faith
· Talking about holiness BUT not living holy
· Believing in salvation BUT not the kind of salvation taught by the original Christians
· Believing in the Holy Spirit BUT not as God’s power that lives within you
Nearly right could be spiritually lethal. While God is not expecting us to be perfect, he does expect sincerity of the heart and whole-hearted obedience to the Bible. If we get that right, God’s grace will cover the rest.
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