An Ounce of Prevention
If you’re like me, you’ve heard numerous testimonies over the years from people who were rescued from the pits of an earthly hell by pursuing faith in Christ. Such stories are inspiring and grasp the attention of those in the audience. I admire those who have made such a transformation!
By comparison, the person (maybe like me, as an example) who grows up going to church, sitting in Sunday school classes for years hearing the Bible stories, who participates in the “youth group” of the church, deciding at a relatively young age (12 in my case) to accept Christ and be baptized; such a person’s story seems dull and uninteresting. Most people in that audience would yawn and struggle to stay awake during the telling. I get it.
But there is an adage that goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We know this is true from experience. We put fire detectors in our houses, seeking to prevent the need of the fire department coming to throw water on a house consumed and ruined by fire. We put motion detection lights on our homes, so they come on and warn of an intruder before we’re robbed. We drink plenty of water to avoid the dehydration that comes from being physically active, with the ailments that accompany dehydration. Wellness is a big deal now-a-days, as we exercise and eat healthy foods to prevent diseases and obesity. Parents take their children to the doctor for immunizations to prevent certain sicknesses. On and on it goes. We know that prevention works better than digging ourselves out of the pits of trouble.
So, why is it that we don’t take this advice when it comes to Christianity? Oh, some do, but I’d venture to say most who call themselves Christian do not. Wise Solomon once said words we often fail to heed, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” And yet many seem to disregard such advice, throwing caution to the wind as children grow up with no biblical direction, left to sort out the cultural teaching common in schools and our society. Can a child recover from such misdirection? Sure, he or she can, but there’s no guarantees. What Solomon says is not a guarantee, either, but it greatly increases the chances faith will win.
Part of the problem is the attitude I’ve seen that says nothing is required of a disciple except some inward and vague faith, a faith that equals simple mental belief. You can’t read the words of Jesus and his apostles thoroughly and come away with that conclusion. Jesus said to take up your cross and follow him (Luke 9:23). He said that to love him is to obey him (John 14:15). He says that a lukewarm faith (simple mental belief?) makes him want to spit us out of his mouth (Rev. 3:16). The demons have this kind of belief, and they shudder in fear of what is to come (James 2:19). True faith follows the object of such faith, in this case Jesus. And the earlier we start learning, in order to follow, the better we will have ingrained in us the principles that make us solid in our discipleship.
A man once told Dwight Moody a harrowing tale of his moral failures. He talked about all the things he’d overcome, almost bragging. When done he asked Mr. Moody, “What would you have done if you were in such circumstances?” Moody’s reply: “Son, I would never have gotten into those circumstances.” Moody’s message? Christianity is not simply an ambulance to rescue you at the foot of a precipice you’ve fallen over, it is a fence to prevent you from falling in the first place. We are not saved by works, but don’t be fooled, our actions matter.
Few will notice the young man or woman who grows up in a Christian home, being taught the ways of God as they seek to yield to the teaching of Jesus and his apostles in a loving way. That person may not be asked to give their testimony during a revival, at camp, or when on the mission field. It’s just boring. But while it does not provide the dramatics of conversion from dire circumstances, it is the preferred way. It is the safer way.
Pastor Harry Emerson Fosdick once suggested something better than the prodigal son returning from sin, or the bitter son who stayed behind but was angry – its when the son stays home and appreciates what he’s got, obedient to the father and faithful to his ways. Let’s be smart when it comes to our faith. Be diligent in pursuit!
By comparison, the person (maybe like me, as an example) who grows up going to church, sitting in Sunday school classes for years hearing the Bible stories, who participates in the “youth group” of the church, deciding at a relatively young age (12 in my case) to accept Christ and be baptized; such a person’s story seems dull and uninteresting. Most people in that audience would yawn and struggle to stay awake during the telling. I get it.
But there is an adage that goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” We know this is true from experience. We put fire detectors in our houses, seeking to prevent the need of the fire department coming to throw water on a house consumed and ruined by fire. We put motion detection lights on our homes, so they come on and warn of an intruder before we’re robbed. We drink plenty of water to avoid the dehydration that comes from being physically active, with the ailments that accompany dehydration. Wellness is a big deal now-a-days, as we exercise and eat healthy foods to prevent diseases and obesity. Parents take their children to the doctor for immunizations to prevent certain sicknesses. On and on it goes. We know that prevention works better than digging ourselves out of the pits of trouble.
So, why is it that we don’t take this advice when it comes to Christianity? Oh, some do, but I’d venture to say most who call themselves Christian do not. Wise Solomon once said words we often fail to heed, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” And yet many seem to disregard such advice, throwing caution to the wind as children grow up with no biblical direction, left to sort out the cultural teaching common in schools and our society. Can a child recover from such misdirection? Sure, he or she can, but there’s no guarantees. What Solomon says is not a guarantee, either, but it greatly increases the chances faith will win.
Part of the problem is the attitude I’ve seen that says nothing is required of a disciple except some inward and vague faith, a faith that equals simple mental belief. You can’t read the words of Jesus and his apostles thoroughly and come away with that conclusion. Jesus said to take up your cross and follow him (Luke 9:23). He said that to love him is to obey him (John 14:15). He says that a lukewarm faith (simple mental belief?) makes him want to spit us out of his mouth (Rev. 3:16). The demons have this kind of belief, and they shudder in fear of what is to come (James 2:19). True faith follows the object of such faith, in this case Jesus. And the earlier we start learning, in order to follow, the better we will have ingrained in us the principles that make us solid in our discipleship.
A man once told Dwight Moody a harrowing tale of his moral failures. He talked about all the things he’d overcome, almost bragging. When done he asked Mr. Moody, “What would you have done if you were in such circumstances?” Moody’s reply: “Son, I would never have gotten into those circumstances.” Moody’s message? Christianity is not simply an ambulance to rescue you at the foot of a precipice you’ve fallen over, it is a fence to prevent you from falling in the first place. We are not saved by works, but don’t be fooled, our actions matter.
Few will notice the young man or woman who grows up in a Christian home, being taught the ways of God as they seek to yield to the teaching of Jesus and his apostles in a loving way. That person may not be asked to give their testimony during a revival, at camp, or when on the mission field. It’s just boring. But while it does not provide the dramatics of conversion from dire circumstances, it is the preferred way. It is the safer way.
Pastor Harry Emerson Fosdick once suggested something better than the prodigal son returning from sin, or the bitter son who stayed behind but was angry – its when the son stays home and appreciates what he’s got, obedient to the father and faithful to his ways. Let’s be smart when it comes to our faith. Be diligent in pursuit!