Which Do You Save?

I really enjoy those moments when the material we study opens up dialog in the classroom.

That is especially true when my students’ discussion turns to how the material applies to today.

A recent discussion we were having made me recall a philosophical question I once encountered.

I altered the premise somewhat to better suit today’s circumstances and offered a hypothetical situation.

It goes as follows:

You are walking down the street one evening.

As you do, you near a museum that has on display a very famous work of art on loan to it.

Without warning, the museum erupts into flame.

You rush in and see this work of art along with an unconscious terrorist who started the blaze.

In a split second, you realize that you only have time to rescue one.

Which of the two do you save?

Do you save the priceless work of art on loan?

Or, do you save the terrorist who not only started the fire but likely hates both you and your beliefs?

One school of thought dictates that you save the work of art.

Its reasoning is that the work is priceless and worth more than the one who wanted it destroyed.

From a Christian perspective, there really is no choice.

You must save the individual regardless of how he feels about you or the things you value.

The work of art, although valuable, is an object.

The other is a human being.

Like yourself, he is made in the image of God and has the potential for change.

Whether that change comes about is between him and God.

But, for as long as we draw breath, there remains hope.

We are each capable of saving someone physically.

Only the Lord is capable of saving someone spiritually.

Our task is to love others, not judge them.

Romans 12:18-19 (NET) - If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

If the change does happen, the ensuing testimony will be powerful.

We may not be able to change hearts, but God certainly can.

Ezekiel 36:26 (NET) - I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your body and give you a heart of flesh.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, March 1, 2019.

I will be back here on Friday, March 8, 2019