… understand my train of thought most of the time. I had read a news story about an Amish child whose parents took her and left the USA. She had been treated for cancer, a doctor told her and her parents that she was cancer free, but more chemo was required – and took them to court. The court ordered the chemo, that the child begged not to have. The family’s only alternative was to leave this country.
Another medical story that same day had to do with an elderly stroke patient who was being sent home from the hospital because he was not making progress in therapy. His just as elderly wife cannot care for him, and it appears there’s no room in other facilities.
In both instances medical staff adhered to specific rules which determine what should be done under these circumstances. My thought was, when we depend on rules only, removing the human factor, people get lost in the shuffle. They are overwhelmed by the rules.
That led to, “When we remove the spiritual factor from the Bible, we are also overwhelmed by the rules.”
You see, we can never be good enough, keep the laws sufficiently, dress correctly, speak correctly … the list is endless. God knows this:
God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Psalms 53:2-3 KJV)
Paul quoted this:
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: (Romans 3:10 KJV)
The spiritual part of the Bible, the God part, is love:
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:8-10 KJV)
Joshua knew this:
But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Joshua 22:5 KJV)
Paul taught Timothy how to treat others:
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; (2 Timothy 2:24-25 KJV)
We should correct ourselves with that same patience. We should be learning more about God and His word – what was written that we should follow; what was written as examples NOT to follow; what consequences occurred; what rewards were earned; what prayers were answered. There is so much to learn, so much to study. How much time are we willing to give to grow spiritually, with love?
I had just recently read about the Amish child. I didn't know that she had been told she was cancer free. The whole thing made my stomach knot. This world makes me sad. So much so, that I typically avoid the news. As I read sad stories like the one of the little Amish girl and the one of the elderly couple in need of help and love instead of laws, I can't help but be reminded of how much I need to stay in God's Word. So much sadness, so much neglect, so much anger, bitterness, and filth are running rampant in this world. When I read God's Word it doesn't say this won't happen. What I do read is that it will happen, but that God will not let go of us as it happens. He see's all and not one thing happens without His knowledge. I'm glad I am His child and nothing can pluck me from His hand.
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