We were driving down the country highway to Bible study. It became apparent when we crossed the county line that the mowers had been sent out to cut the grass on the right of way. I suddenly thought of the increasing gas prices and asked Keith, “Is there a valid reason to mow the side of the road these days?”
Turns out there is. “It increases visibility for the ones pulling out of the driveways and lanes.” Fewer accidents is certainly cost effective, not to mention the value of saved lives. It also helps the ones already on the road to see the deer or the raccoons or the possums or the stray dogs standing at the side so they can be aware and slow down. I never would have thought of that if I hadn’t asked.
God obviously intended that we should ask why. Remember those piles of stones taken from the bottom of the Jordan River? When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them… Josh 4:6.
I have been places where anyone who asked why was treated like either a troublemaker or a heretic. It isn’t unscriptural to ask why. In fact, the unscriptural thing is not to explain why. God meant us to tell each generation why we do what we do. He meant us to carefully explain his authority, his plan, and his promises. Maybe some are trying to make trouble, but the remedy is the same as for those who are sincere—tell them why!
Do we want our children to carry on the plan of God in the next generation? Do we want them to have the same hope that we do? They cannot get to Heaven on our coattails. They must have their own faith, a faith that comes by hearing the word of God, just as ours did. Or did it? Are we also carrying on practices we cannot prove are correct, only because that is what we’ve always done? Have we mistaken traditions for laws, binding the commandments of men on others just as those we so often condemn? If we don’t know the answers to why, we might be open to the same criticism.
I have heard people ruin the opportunity when an interested soul asks why. If a friend or neighbor asks why we do things that way in “our church,” we often jump on that phrase and explain, scoldingly, that the church belongs to Christ, and the poor questioner never does get an answer to his question. Instead he feels attacked and never asks again.
More than once Keith has been addressed as “pastor” when a similar question was asked. Imagine if he had simply spent the time pontificating about the correct Biblical meaning of “pastor” instead of answering the question.
God always expected people to ask why. Check out these passages: Ex 12:26; 13:14; Deut 6:20,21; Psa 78:3,4; Isa 38:19. Even today he expects us to be able to answer the question, “Why?” But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear, 1Pe 3:15.
Perhaps you should begin with this question: Can I do that? Can I give the “why” for my hope? Peter gives you the answer if you just keep reading. Let that be your project for the day.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Col 4:5-6.
Dene Ward
Turns out there is. “It increases visibility for the ones pulling out of the driveways and lanes.” Fewer accidents is certainly cost effective, not to mention the value of saved lives. It also helps the ones already on the road to see the deer or the raccoons or the possums or the stray dogs standing at the side so they can be aware and slow down. I never would have thought of that if I hadn’t asked.
God obviously intended that we should ask why. Remember those piles of stones taken from the bottom of the Jordan River? When your children ask in time to come, 'What do those stones mean to you?' then you shall tell them… Josh 4:6.
I have been places where anyone who asked why was treated like either a troublemaker or a heretic. It isn’t unscriptural to ask why. In fact, the unscriptural thing is not to explain why. God meant us to tell each generation why we do what we do. He meant us to carefully explain his authority, his plan, and his promises. Maybe some are trying to make trouble, but the remedy is the same as for those who are sincere—tell them why!
Do we want our children to carry on the plan of God in the next generation? Do we want them to have the same hope that we do? They cannot get to Heaven on our coattails. They must have their own faith, a faith that comes by hearing the word of God, just as ours did. Or did it? Are we also carrying on practices we cannot prove are correct, only because that is what we’ve always done? Have we mistaken traditions for laws, binding the commandments of men on others just as those we so often condemn? If we don’t know the answers to why, we might be open to the same criticism.
I have heard people ruin the opportunity when an interested soul asks why. If a friend or neighbor asks why we do things that way in “our church,” we often jump on that phrase and explain, scoldingly, that the church belongs to Christ, and the poor questioner never does get an answer to his question. Instead he feels attacked and never asks again.
More than once Keith has been addressed as “pastor” when a similar question was asked. Imagine if he had simply spent the time pontificating about the correct Biblical meaning of “pastor” instead of answering the question.
God always expected people to ask why. Check out these passages: Ex 12:26; 13:14; Deut 6:20,21; Psa 78:3,4; Isa 38:19. Even today he expects us to be able to answer the question, “Why?” But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear, 1Pe 3:15.
Perhaps you should begin with this question: Can I do that? Can I give the “why” for my hope? Peter gives you the answer if you just keep reading. Let that be your project for the day.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Col 4:5-6.
Dene Ward
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