Voluntarily Assisting Community

When my kids were young, there were a million moments where, had I not stepped in and done something, they would have caused themselves great damage. I was particularly attentive to head injuries - when little kids start walking they tend to have little spatial or height awareness and without some protection, they regularly clonk their heads on tables and benches - and let me assure you, that never ends well. But just a little bit of protection and teaching is all that’s needed. 

I’d love to tell you that once your kids all start school or finish school that this work of protection and teaching ends. But no. Just this year I have spoken to our kids about lots of things like the importance of getting your car serviced and then reminded them to do so. I am not sure what is worse - blood streaming down a toddler’s face or getting a phone call because your child’s car engine just blew up. 

But this is how life works isn’t it. Using the wisdom we have, we help each other get the best out of life by protecting and teaching. No one stays silent when they notice their mate about to drive off without tying down the surfboard on their roof racks. You step in. You humbly help. You kindly protect. You thoughtfully teach.  

And yet, when it comes to moral issues or just simply the best way to do life and relationships, Christian often stay silent or feel as though they don’t really have the right to share with those around them a biblical way of thinking. Perhaps worse, some Christians have adopted a post-modern view of morality - abortion is wrong for me because I am a Christian but it is totally fine for my atheist friend because they are not - this sort of thinking stems from the idea that there is no right way of doing life; essentially, God’s design for the world is only for those who believe in him and everyone else can choose their own adventure without any repercussions. 

Surely, if we have the Word of God, we should do more than hide it under a bush or treat it like just one option among many that provide wisdom for life! And yet this is what many Christians do!

Now I understand the fear of being shouted down, criticised and cancelled. I have been subject to all three. I understand the fear of missing an evangelistic opportunity because we are no longer respected by our friends in the world. But if God exists, and if God designed the world, and if God both knows and has revealed the best way to live in his world, then why would Christians not act to protect and teach others (humbly, kindly, thoughtfully). Why would we not use the wisdom of God to help every human get the best out of life? For if God designed everything, God’s wisdom is for everyone whether you trust him or not. God has placed Jesus as ultimate authority in the world and his word and way are best.   

It is hard of course, when someone calls you a “naive, narrow-minded, bigot obsessed by a supernatural superstitious tale of gibberish”. (Yes, that’s a quote!) But the Scriptures remind us that as we come to God’s Word, the reality is the opposite. I was struck by Psalm 119:32 this week - “I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding.” Being a follower of God and obedient to his Word, far from making you a fool, broadens your understanding, opens your eyes  and enables you to live wisely and well in the world. It also enables you to help others. They may reject that help and call you names or ignore you and cancel you, but that is what fools sometimes do in the face of true wisdom.

The Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill is before parliament in NSW at the moment. Christian opposition to voluntary assisted dying is grounded in the knowledge that all human life is precious in God’s sight, that God alone determines the limits of human life, and that the Bible prohibits the purposeful killing of innocent people. Christian are called to be compassionate, but this looks like care for others to the very end of their life, not intervening to unnaturally end that life. Contrary to the way God values and sees dignity in each person despite age, disease, dependence or disability, this idea is based on a destructive narrative of societal utilitarianism, in which people only have dignity when they have capacity, and their value is based on their contribution to society.

Individual autonomy is what got us kicked out of the garden in the first place and people are still grasping after it in a world where both design and designer matter. Obedience to God’s Word is the pathway to life to the full! 

So what should we do when people walk in ways contrary to the wisdom of God? Well, prayerfully, humbly, kindly, and thoughtfully seek to protect and teach them a better way, the way of the Lord. Voluntarily assist the community around you to see the way of Christ. They may shout you down, criticise you and cancel you but if you are humble, kind and thoughtful, hopefully they will recognise that your concern comes from love and at least listen. And despite their reaction, don’t cancel them but rather love them and walk with them, praying for them that they may have their understanding broadened to see the pathway of life through Jesus Christ our redeemer. 

There are not multiple good pathways to live; there is just Jesus Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.