The 20-mile stretch of abandoned rail line, which has been turned into a lovely bike trail through rural, central Iowa, is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Included among this mixture are turtles harmless box turtles, ill-tempered sand turtles and unwelcome snapping turtles.
On a bike ride this past summer, I noticed a green box turtle moving toward the trail. Evidently it wanted to cross the trail to the swampy pond on the opposite side. However, its small size, slow speed and abundance of natural predators made this a dangerous trip. As I pedaled by, I had an urge to stop, pick it up and place it in the safety of the pond. But I didn’t and though feeling a bit uneasy, I soon forgot the incident.
Two days later, however, I again came upon the same little turtle in the same place. But now it lay on the bike trail dead. Perhaps it had been run over by a cyclist or attacked by a predator. Whatever its enemy was, it never reached the safety of the pond. Though it was just a little turtle, I felt badly that I had not helped it when I had the occasion.
In Galatians 6:1010As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10) believers are told, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Often when an opportunity to do good to another presents itself, the pressures and rush of our daily lives seem to take precedence, and the good due to pressing personal needs is left undone.
But our blessed God would have us to be ready always to do good, to serve and to help those in need –whenever the opportunity arises. And, as we read in Matthew 5:4444But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44), it is not only those we approve of that we are to serve: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” What an impossible task, if we are not walking in humility and fellowship with the Father!
May God grant us a desire like that of the house of Stephanus, who addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, with hearts of compassion like the Samaritan who, when seeing the wounded man, came to where he was.
Being Wise
Yet, in view of this violent age, we find in Scripture important balances. We must be careful in these perilous times that our willingness to do good is carried out wisely in fellowship with God. As His sheep sent forth in the midst of wolves, we are to be “wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matt. 10:1616Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)). It is a day when the principle found in Ephesians 5:15-1715See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15‑17) needs to be followed in every aspect of our lives. “See then that ye walk circumspectly [carefully, JND], not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” Doing good is not only a matter of willingness, but one of submission to His will.
Some years ago, my wife and I were walking in downtown Chicago in an area called the “miracle mile” where many huge corporations and retail stores have their offices. It was early afternoon and the sidewalk was crowded with busy professionals, bustling shoppers and gawking tourists. As we walked across a crowded intersection, a young woman came up to me and pointing to a quiet, side street said, “I’ve got car trouble a couple blocks from here. Could you come and help me?” Without hesitation I answered, “No ma’am, I can’t help you.”
Her angry reaction, as she turned away, caused me a twinge of guilt until my dear wife said, “Look there.” Not 25 feet from where we stood, a policeman—purposely overlooked by the woman—was directing traffic. We feel that God mercifully spared me from being another statistic in a city mugging.
Believers must be aware that, today, what appears to be a cry for help may be falsely so, in order to take harmful advantage of a would-be benefactor. Satan often appears as an angel of light harmless and helpless. But he is a liar (2 Cor. 11:1414And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14); John 8:4444Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (John 8:44)). As children of light, let us walk according to the wisdom of that light. We read in Proverbs 14:1515The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. (Proverbs 14:15), “The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.”
The world says, “Perform random acts of kindness.” But our God says, “Be ready to every good work” and “be careful to maintain good works” (Titus 3:1,81Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, (Titus 3:1)
8This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)). To be ready, communion with the Father is essential. When thus submitted, we will receive wisdom and energy to maintain the good works that are pleasing to our blessed God.
Ed.