What Do You Suppose?
Posted by: biblenotes <biblenotes@...>
From: Martin Overfield
Date: 12 Nov 2001
What Do You Suppose?
"There were present at that season some that told him of the Galilaeans,
whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering
said unto them, 'Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the
Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except
ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the
tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above
all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish.'" Luke 13:1-5 (KJV)
WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE WAS THE REASON?
In light of the awful atrocity of September 11, 2001, the terrorist attack
upon the World Trade Center, we find that some have given strong opinions
about who was ultimately to blame. While some of the religious have said
that this was because God basically decided to punish us for certain
activities of activist groups who advocate perverted life styles (really
sinful and abominable -- in the eyes of God), some of the non-religious (or
"profane such as Esau") have expressed that it is the fault of the United
States for certain policies, lack of understanding of religion and culture
of the Moslem peoples, or for past or present social crimes against others.
But, I would like to focus our attention upon the words of Christ: "Suppose
ye that these ... were sinners above all ... ?"
In researching the usage of the original Greek word here translated
"suppose", I found that most of the time in the New Testament this word
represents a misunderstanding or a flaw in judgment on the part of people.
Oh, how easy it is to blame the people that are our enemies -- at least
ideologically -- when something so terrible happens. I am not here to argue
to what extent some of the blaming may or may not have merit. Rather notice
with me that Jesus made it abundantly clear that "Except ye repent, ye shall
all likewise perish". Though the Jews of His time were apt to blame the
ones who had been the victims of the atrocity, I believe Jesus' words here
apply to all people of all time, no matter at whom the guns of blame are
being pointed. Jesus is basically saying that we ALL are to blame for the
sins that we have committed AND that we are all furthermore entitled to
DESTRUCTION! The only way to escape the destruction that each one of us
deserves is to repent!
Whatever else the atrocity of September 11th may mean, I believe that it is
a wakeup call from God that we ALL had better make sure that we have hearts
that are made white by the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
WHAT DO YOU SUPPOSE IS WRONG WITH SUPPOSING?
Sadly, I have seen and heard wrong suppositions being made concerning
various good people and good organizations. For instance, I sat across the
table from a man who had a lot of criticism for me personally. Though such
things are difficult to take, I did my best to acknowledge any truth to such
claims and to turn the whole package over to God. But, the same man spoke
negatively about another man and his ministry. Knowing the minister about
whom he spoke was beyond seventy years of age and having heard him preach
myself, I suggested that the man might be "slipping a little". The critic
proceeded to heartily agree with me, but I added the word "mentally" to my
observation -- and that was all I had meant. The critic said, "That too".
By this comment and his demeanor, I became certain that he had judged the
man as having slipped spiritually and now was very glad to add further that
the man had slipped mentally.
This is exactly what I mean by the problem of supposing! In the above case,
there was no factual basis for the critic to decide the spirituality of the
other minister. Now I ask what have you been supposing about others? It is
bad enough that people do misjudge; but, it is a spiritually atrocious thing
for one who professes to live close to God to add to the misjudgment the SIN
of "spreading surmises injurious to the good name of others". This I quote
from a document of my church, because many who are very ready to condemn
others for various "sins" and who are ready to condemn the very organization
to which they belong, are themselves guilty of things that cause them to be
very UNqualified to "cast the first stone".
This supposing of evil about good people and the spreading of such
"information" is likely to do far greater harm to souls with whom one has
influence than many other types of temptation coming from the world. I will
be a little more plain: there are young people and those who are young in
the Lord who are most vulnerable to such onslaughts of evil. It is very
hard for such to maintain their faith in people about whom they hear strong
criticism. Even if some of what may be expressed is true, it is very likely
to damage souls. In many cases such may be harmed beyond recovery
outside of a miracle.
Over and over I have heard it said that the actions of the terrorist were
against "innocent" civilians. I heartily agree in one sense that the people
were innocent. In another sense they were not, "For all have sinned and
come short of the glory of God". But, as these people died as casualties of
a supposed jihad (translated in some cases as a "holy war"), so will many
likely be turned into Hell who have become eternal casualties of a jihad of
a critical spirit wielding a sharp, spiritually poisonous tongue.
Oh, may we suppose rightly! May we err on the side of mercy and good
fruits! May we be ever watchful to protect the weak among us from
careless, sinful suppositions!
Yours In Christ,
Martin Overfield
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