November 16, 2007

Imagine for a moment smooth, placid waters perfectly mirroring sapphire blue skies.  Cottony white tufts of cloud emanate a faint golden glow as the sun shines down in full autumn glory.  Sounds like a calendar picture, doesn’t it?  But then, is it possible that the serene scene before us holds either dangerous poisons or other terrors beneath the glass-like surface of the waters? 

Hollywood has, of course, found the question to be very profitable, telling tales of giant alligators, schools of scientifically modified piranha, or strange chemicals that alter the genetic makeup of wildlife thus producing terrifying monsters that prey on hapless campers, ecologists, and forest rangers. 

But in spite of such fanciful storytelling, our hearts seem still drawn to the peaceful setting of still waters, glad indeed that our God will lead us to the water’s edge so that our souls may be refreshed. 

How we hate it then when folks come along and throw stones into our waters!  Just when we feel that we’ve reached a peaceful spot and purpose in our hearts to linger there, a stone is thrown, plunking into our lives, disturbing us with ripples of confusion and upsetting our delicate sense of security. 

Those of us who have had our “boats rocked” and the waters of our lives disturbed by unexpected circumstances have an obvious distaste for the experience and can be very reluctant to disturb the waters of other people’s lives. 

We can all agree that throwing stones, so to speak, of condemnation, malice, anger, and selfishness is to contribute to the poisons and problems from which people need safe haven.  But there are other “stones”, however, that are really treasures which we should only be too glad to share with others. 

If you are a man or woman who has placed his or her faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, then you have acknowledged that He is “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (see John 14:6).  If He is then all those things, you have a treasure house with which you may richly bless the lives of others.  What stones do you have that others are blessed when you “toss them into the lives of others”? 

Three come readily to my mind.  The first is the golden stone of love.  It is the stone that helps to prepare the waters for other golden stones and, without which, the other stones could not be received.  It paves the way for others to hear and receive the news that God gave His Son for them.  It opens minds and pierces hearts that have grown cold and calloused.  As we allow love to motivate our hands and feet to the speedy aid of those who are in need, or to support those who suffer, we have lobbed a rock into the sea of complacency, causing waves to break against walls of indifference, eroding them so that as God comes near, He may find a heart that can receive His promised salvation. 

“This is how we know what love is:  Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18 NIV). 

The second stone is holiness.  Called to be a people who “have come out from the world”, we think differently, act differently, and live life differently than do those who do not yet know Jesus as Lord.  One of the great fundamental principles on which we build our lives as Christians is that God’s people must leave behind the selfish and sinful compulsions that once enslaved us and move ahead towards pure and holy lives that may be offered up to our God through Jesus’ forgiveness without condemnation.  We therefore strive to not compromise our callings by “dabbling” in things that we know clearly are offensive to our God and Savior. 

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  But just as He Who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:13-15 NIV). 

The third stone of gold is truth.  In an age of innovation, I’ve little complaint in regard to applying such innovation to serving others in love, to styles of music, and even to modes of worship (as long as there isn’t any compromise on Godly principles).  Where I would have GREAT complaint, however, is in the matter of a correct understanding of God’s truth.  Innovation is all right (and even beneficial as God steers us on to deeper understandings of Himself and His purposes), but one cannot be “innovative” with truth.  Man’s creativity is not acceptable in any way, shape, or form when it encroaches God’s sovereignty.  If, for example, “another way to heaven” is introduced to a congregation, a lurking menace is stirring beneath the surface of what appears to be a pleasing scene of universality.  No, it is good for God’s people to throw the golden stone of truth at such bottom feeding lies. 

“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3 NIV). 

People don’t like their calm waters disturbed, it is true.  But when people realize that what they’re being given are the “gold nuggets” of love, holiness, and truth that sets us free from the bondage of sin and death, silver ripples are unleashed that emanate outward creating a current that draws people to the only hope that the world can ever know:  God’s Son.

(Thom Mollohan and his family have ministered in southern Ohio the past twelve years.  He is the pastor of Pathway Community Church, which meets on Sunday mornings at 455 Third Avenue.  He may be reached for comments or questions by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).