Do Not Become A Casualty
Good morning,
Having worked closely with God’s people for nearly fifty years, I have noticed certain things that cause people to become casualties on the road of spiritual living. These people are not bad. These people do not have drug, alcohol, or criminal problems. These people became casualties. A soldier who is a casualty ceases to fight; he is no longer able to stay in the fight and help the cause for which he enlisted. In regards to Christianity, you can be physically well, but be a spiritual casualty.
Long ago, I determined that with God’s help and His mercy, I would not become a casualty. I have noticed several areas that cause people to leave the battle and to turn from the fight. Paul, the apostle said, “I have fought a good fight I finished my course I have kept the faith.”
I will not be a casualty by becoming a critic of God’s people.
As David and his men left Ziglag and followed the Amalikites, some of the soldiers were too weary to go on. They had already gone through much, and were simply in need of rest. After the battle, those who fought with David turned on their weary friends, and God called them children of the devil.
Romans 14 says “who art thou that judgest another man’s servant.” James says something similar, “Speak not evil one of another brother.” Many people quit teaching their Sunday school class, running their bus route, and helping in jails and rest home services; many others quit carrying tracks and witnessing. Their ministry decline started when they became critics of the people of God. It might have been some weakness they saw or something they heard that was simply gossip, but whatever the case, they stopped serving and started criticizing. Regardless of their actions, these people are the children of God, dear to God, and should be dear to His people. Anyone can get out of the fight for right. Remember David’s wife looking out the window? She looked at him with distain and embarrassment; circumstances did not go well for her. Remember the woman in John chapter 8 who was brought to Jesus by critics and accusers? Our Lord was on the side of the accused not the accuser.
By God’s grace, I have determined not to become a critic of the people of God. I may not agree with them, and I may not even have the same doctrinal ideas as them, but they are brethren.
Secondly, I will not be a casualty by becoming a critic of God Himself.
As Jesus hung on the cross, one thief accused Jesus and challenged him. (What kind of craziness was that?) In our times of hurt, we can say foolish things to God and about God. I have seen people become casualties who began accusing God and blaming Him for things that went wrong. I am reminded of Job, of whom was said, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”
God does not always do things as we think He should. Remember how Daniel’s friends said they would not bow to the king’s statue, even if God did not deliver them.
Proverbs 25:3 “The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable.”
We are not going to understand why God does what He does, but we can understand that He is God, that He is good, and that He is worthy of our trust. Though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and though we cry rivers of tears, He is still worthy of our trust. May we not walk away from the service of God because we disagree with the way a situation turned out.
Becoming a casualty is not difficult. Dropping out of the service of the King because we began to be critical of God’s people (or even of God Himself) causes us to travel down the path to becoming a casualty.
The third thing I have noticed that causes good Christian people to simply step out of the race instead of finishing their course is injustice.
I will not become a casualty through injustice.
By God’s grace, I will press on as Hebrews 12 says: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith…”
Of course, we all understand that we continue in His grace alone, but as God gives me grace, I will stand in times of injustice. Peter wrote of Jesus (1 Peter 2:23) that when He was reviled, He did not respond, and when our Lord was threatened, He did not return the threats. Injustice is in the hands of God as much as storms and drought. I am not saying I like it; I am simply saying that faith will keep us looking up during injustice.
Remember how Joseph forgave his crooked brothers. Remember how Daniel responded when he faced incredible injustice and suffering, yet through his faithfulness, he became second in command. Nehemiah was also carried away as a slave in childhood (or perhaps born into slavery), yet through his great spirit, he became the king’s cup bearer and the one who was used to motivate and order the construction of the walls of a Jerusalem. How about the story of Hannah who gave up her baby, her only child, in a world that had been very unfair to her, yet she believed, trusted, and found victory.
There will be injustice, and there will be times God does things in a way that we do not understand (or do not like). Let us all determine not to be Christians who behave in such a manner that we can become critical and discouraged enough to quit serving God. May we serve God because it is right; not because it is convenient or prosperous, but because He is worthy of our service.
Pastor