Page 10 - Good News May2008 paper

(The following story is about an Their son had died after falling
American soldier who was finally from a building, they were told. “Miraculous!” ... “Revolution- Professing to trust God and to be
coming home after having fought The police believed it was ary!” ... “Greatest ever!” We are His people, they cling tightly to
in Vietnam). suicide. The grief-stricken inundated with a flood of extrava- the world and its values. Posses-
He called his parents from San parents flew to San Francisco gant claims as we flip the sing all the right answers, they
Francisco. “Mom and Dad, I’m and were taken to the city television dial or magazine contradict the Gospel with their
coming home, but I’ve got a morgue to identify the body of pages. We are assured that these lives.
favour to ask. I have a friend I’d their son. They recognized him, products are “new,” “improved,” Christianity must not only be
like to bring with me.” but to their horror they also “fantastic,” and will change lives. believed, it must be lived. “You
“Sure,” they replied, “we would discovered something they did For only a few rand we can have will be judged on whether or not
love to meet him.” not know - their son had only one “cleaner clothes,” “whiter teeth,” you are doing what Christ wants
“There’s something you should arm and one leg! “glamorous hair,” “tastier food,” you to...what’s the use of saying
know,” the son continued. “He The parents in this story are like happiness, friends and the good that you have faith and are
was hurt pretty badly in the many of us. We find it easy to love life. And just before an election, Christians if you aren’t proving it
fighting. He stepped on a land those who are good-looking or no one can match the politicians’ by helping others?...it isn’t
mine and lost an arm and a leg. fun to have around, but we don’t promises. But talk is cheap, and enough just to have faith. You
He has nowhere else to go, and I like people who inconvenience we soon realize that the boasts must also do good to prove that
want him to come and live with us or make us feel uncom- were hollow, quite far from the you have it. Faith that doesn’t
us.” fortable. We would rather stay truth. show itself by good works is no
“I’m sorry to hear that, son. away from people who aren’t as Christians also make great faith at all - it is dead and useless”
Maybe we can help him find healthy, beautiful or smart as we claims, and are often guilty of (James 2:12-17). The proof that
somewhere to live.” are. belying them with their actions. our faith is real is a changed life!
“No, Mom and Dad, I want him to Thankfully, there is Someone
live with us.” who won’t treat us that way.
“Son,” said the father, “you don’t Someone who loves us with an
know what you’re asking. Some- unconditional love, that wel-
one with such a handicap would comes us into God’s family,
be a terrible burden on us. We regardless of how messed up we
have our own lives to live, and we are. This Someone is JESUS!
can’t let something like this inter- [Dunamis - July/August 1999].
fere with our plans. I think you Come to Me and I will give you
should just come home and for- rest - all of you who work so hard
get about this guy. He’ll find a beneath a heavy yoke. Wear My
way to live on his own.” yoke - for it fits perfectly - and let
At that point the son hung up. Me teach you; for I am gentle and
The parents heard nothing more humble, and you shall find rest
from him. A few days later, for your souls; for I give you only
however, they received a call light burdens (Matt. 11:28, Life
from the San Francisco police. Application Bible).