Stray Thoughts: Enough talk! Action now!

It is clear (or should be) that there is much evil all around us and that it is imperative that it be dealt with and defeated. Christians should take the lead in this. Can any among us disagree with this?

With such a need before us, it is understandable for some to raise what may seem to be an obvious question, one that should be addressed particularly to someone like me.

In light of the desperate needs that are all around us, why bother to spend the time writing about Bible verses? Action is needed, not discussions about the Bible.

It’s good that such a question be raised. In fact, it’s something that I have even asked myself. As I have considered this and discussed it in my prayers with the Father, He has given me some good answers.

First, before anyone can decide on a good solution for any problem, he needs to be clear about what the problem actually is. Counselors will talk about ‘presenting problems’ in the lives of the people that they try to help. These are issues that the person in need has noticed and describes to the counselor. Wise counselors will work hard to discern what it is in the life of their counselee that is causing this ‘presenting problem’. That is, they look for the underlying issues. They do this because they understand how to do the work that is actually helpful. Dealing with the presenting problems can offer some relief to a person, and that is sometimes crucial. But long-term solutions in that person’s life will only come when the underlying issues are dealt with.

That’s what we need to do as we are confronted with all of the different ways that evil shows itself these days. We need to look behind these ‘presenting problems’ to find the underlying issues behind them. The first tool for this kind of work - there are other tools that are also needed - is the Bible. It gives the proper perspective on life, on life filled with evil. Only the wise use of the Bible can accurately expose the underlying issues.

That’s the necessary first step to a solid solution. Here’s the second. Once those underlying issues are uncovered, the next question needs to be something like, ‘What’s the best way to deal with them?’ And once again, the Bible is the first tool we are to use when it comes to answering such a question.

Using the Bible in this way - to identify the roots of the problems we face and then, to determine a wise course that will lead to a solution - makes sense. After all, the Bible is God’s description of life, fallen life, (presenting problems and underlying issues), as well as the wise solutions to all of that. God does this not just by talking about big theological words like redemption, justification, Trinity and more. God also talks about things like what we should expect of governments and what to do when they are failing, or how to deal with people who cause great injustices, or how to help those who are being crushed. God talks about that second list of things that need to be done and He does that in the context of that first list of theological words.

Now, there are those whom God calls to be very busy acting. There are immediate needs that need immediate attention. God calls people to deal with those needs. Action now! Woe to any if they reject His calling to act in this way. But then, there are those whom God calls to labor far from the front lines where all the action is. He calls them to study the Scriptures. And the fruit of their studies is to be a guide to those who are called to act. They will know the best way to deal with pressing needs, and they will pursue good, long-term solutions. And woe to any if they reject His calling to act in this way.

I am in that second group of people. And that is why I write about Bible verses.