Misunderstood.

Saturday, May 14, 2011
Misunderstood. “Second floor is fully involved. We have heavy smoke on the A, B, C and D sides. First floor still occupied!” That was the report the first engine company on scene gave over the radio upon arrival. The 2 story home was going up in flames extremely fast. Yet through the dining room window the entire family could be clearly seen sitting at the dining table, enjoying supper. They were laughing, enjoying each other’s company, oblivious (whether intentionally or not) to the firestorm just a few feet above them.
As the firefighters begin staging the hoses and getting a dependable water supply hooked up and ready to pump, 2 brave firefighters gear up and go inside to rescue this family of 4 who are in very immediate danger. As they pull them from their home, they are amazed at the anger and resentment these people very obviously have for them.
“How dare you judge us like this!” “I’ve worked hard to build this house with my own 2 hands, and now you’re just going to condemn it like that?!?” “You don’t even know us – how do you know we’re about to die?!?” “Who do you think you are – some perfect saint for being safe from the fire and we’re not?!?”
That’s a silly story, right? So why is it when people who know Christ have a heavy burden to share the Gospel with someone that hasn’t yet believed they get the same reaction many times?
We who have been rescued now see the immediate danger awaiting those who haven’t yet been rescued. We have been told about the certain death that awaits them, and the eternally consequential flames to follow. We don’t think we’re better than them at all. We have just already been rescued, and now want the same fate for them.
Yet many times we are accused of being judgmental, close minded, or of condemning them. The firefighters in the above story weren’t judging, close minded, or condemning the family. They just saw the reality that the family couldn’t see yet. And their conscience and their calling dictated that they do something about it. So do ours.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” “God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” “For it is by grace you are saved, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift from God, and not of works so that no one can boast.”
The 2nd floor is fully involved with heavy smoke showing from the A, B, C and D sides. The family is sitting comfortably downstairs unaware of what is to come for them. What will you do?



That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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