by Wayne Rodgers
Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson went on a camping trip. As they lay down for the night, Holmes said, "Watson, look up and tell me what you see." Watson said, "I see millions and millions of stars."
Holmes asked, "And what does that tell you?"
Watson replied, "Astronomically, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Theologically, it tells me that God is great and that we are small and rather insignificant. Meteorologically, it tells me that we will have a beautiful day tomorrow. So, what does it tells you, Holmes?"
Holmes answered simply, "Somebody stole our tent!" (this was found in Glad Tidings of Good Things Vol. 32 - published by Jacksonville church of Christ, Jacksonville, AL)
Don't overlook the obvious!
We do a good job teaching the plan of salvation, teaching that one must hear God's Word producing faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 10:17; John 8:24), repenting of sin (Luke 13:3), confessing faith before men (Matt. 10:32-33; Rom. 10:10), and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) = salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Pet. 3:20-21).
We do a good job teaching about worship "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:23-24) and those acts of worship authorized by the New Testament like singing (Col. 3:16; Eph. 5:19), giving (1 Cor. 16:1-2), praying (1 Thes. 5:17), partaking of the Lord's Supper (Mt. 26:26-28), and preaching of God's Word (2 Tim. 4:2; Acts 20:7).
While doing a good job doing this kind of teaching, sometimes we overlook those things which are right in front of us!
Often in efforts to teach this sound Bible teaching, we have overlooked that people are hurting or that people are in need. These folks who have some physical needs or maybe emotional needs like a little extra love, support, encouragement, etc.
There have been those who have been converted to Christ through this type of benevolent outreach, but it's not just a program of service; it's a way of life. Consider the following verses:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph. 2:10)
"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." (Gal. 6:1-2)
"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20)
We have to keep in mind why we were created (made Christians)... "unto good works." We have to remember to help those "overtaken in a fault." We have to help those who have "erred from the truth." Again, while we have done a good job teaching some essential matters, we have overlooked how many need to see that we care about them. The old adage is still truth that "people do not care what you know unless they know you care." In Luke 15, Jesus spoke of some things that were lost (sheep, coin, boys). In the matter of the sheep, the shepherd obviously knowing that one of his sheep were lost, he took off in search of it.
Do not overlook the obvious! Let's do what we can to help those around us with their needs. So many have been won to Christ by good works, benevolent deeds, kind and encouraging words, etc. By overlooking the obvious, we may actually shut the door of opportunity to teach those essential matters.
One other side that should be mentioned, as well. It happens often that we are busy even doing good works, helping others, etc. when we have an issue that needs to be tended. Jesus covered this in Matthew 7:1ff.
