Walking on the Other Side of The Road [part two]

Last week I posted the parable of the Good Samaritan found in Luke chapter 10. [you may want to read last week's post first]

I wrote;

Why are we prone to be selective when it comes to deciding who we will help and when? Is it fear? Is it lack of concern, or compassion? Is it spiritual or social blindness? Is it a blatant or subtle prejudice? Is it a lack of justice, or mercy? Is it a clear disregard for anyone other than yourself .. selfishness?

Actually, while many of these traits or tendencies are present in many people, for those of you who 'get' this parable - you already know it's none of these things. But .. there is something, isn't there? There is something inside you that makes you walk on the other side of people's problems just like the Levite and Priest in Jesus' parable.

If it's not lack of love, compassion, justice or mercy - then what is it?

Skill and competence!

The fact is, we're found walking on the other side of the road because we have concluded we don't know what else to do. Oh we want to help, and in the past we've tried to help but we've also consistently failed or felt like a failure because what we tried either wasn't enough or didn't work.

If this is a reality - and for far too many it is - then your only other recourse is to keep walking.

The Good Samaritan had both skill and competence. He had a donkey, wine, oil and cash resources and he was prepared to use them because he knew how to use them.

At Cherry Street Mission Ministries we call this Rescue Competence and Biblical Skill.

Rescue Competence causes you to walk on the side of trouble. For too long we've been told as a church to stay out of trouble. Concerned with purity, wholeness and sanctification we no longer know how to demonstrate in tangible ways these very attributes of God in us. We've become and sadly remain, 'temple dwellers' - unable to effect change and insert Christ into the trouble of the battered and broken people living all around us.

Regarding the battered and broken, if you continue to think it's the lack of love, mercy or compassion that keeps you walking on the other side of the road - then you are doomed to it. Because God's work in you is complete - He didn't give you a little bit of anything. So if you continue to pursue more, you'll never find it.

Add to your love, mercy and compassion Rescue Competence and Biblical Skill and you'll quickly see just how powerful God really is when you and He walk on the side of trouble.

If you're interested in being equipped in Rescue Competence a Rescue Class is available as an eight week course or as a three day Rescue Intensive. Call my assistant Maren Kurtz for more details at 419-242-5141 ex. 225.

Dan Rogers