Most Christians seem to be quite talented in observing the faults of others, knowing exactly what "should have been done" in this or that case and also exactly how something "should have been said." The problem, it would seem then, is to find an adequate outlet for these enormous talents. Most of us have definite and strict opinions on nearly everything (including whether we ought to have "definite and strict opinions"): And most of the time we wait until things are "done wrong" (at least in our eyes) before we say anything about it. Excuses exist aplenty! "It really was none of my business" (of course now that "it" has happened it is!); "Well; brother so-and-so is supposed to be the expert on those things" (but now we are!); AIf I had been leading it, this would have never happened" (ironic, is it not, that the ones that react the strongest after something is done are always the last ones to volunteer for anything in the first place!).

What we all need to do is, "put our faith where our mouths are!" All of us are well endowed with the power of speech; we talk, talk, talk ... the problem is that we never get anything done! We are satisfied with living in a theoretical world-because on that plane anyone can have "all the answers." We must realize though that life is lived in real, down-to-earth, day-to-day practical circumstances!, We can all "take care of" that hypothetical Baptist or Methodist we meet in the classroom, but how about the one that lives next door? It is easy to amen a prayer asking for "reapers to be sent" but how about getting out our own sickles? We all need to reread what James told us 1900 years ago: _-`-`But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.... But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (Jas. 1:23, 25).

Truth Magazine, XVIII:42, p. 14
August 29, 1974