In the Russia-Ukraine war, many Russian soldiers were separated from their battalions. The 18–20-year-old young soldiers begged for life and Ukrainians. The local churches that were organizing food for the people in the besieged city offered them food, who were later taken as Prisoners of War. The churches demonstrated the love of Christ in action even during a bitter war environment. “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22) God expects such high standards of generosity, broad-mindedness and a good attitude.
However, like the Nation of Israel, the Church also fails miserably many times. Jeremiah writes: “For my people are foolish; they know me not; they are stupid children; they have no understanding. They are ‘wise’—in doing evil! But how to do good they know not.” (Jeremiah 4:22)
1) Foolish: They know not the Lord, his attributes and hence they became foolish. They become like fools, who do not believe in the existence of God. (Psalms 14:1)
2) Stupid: The people of God become stupid when they follow the practices of the world. Generally, when an enemy is found, he is hated and violently handled. However, these bible believing Christians demonstrated love of God.
3) Know me not: They neither know the Law of the Lord nor Him. Their personal relationship with God is not intimate, but remote and lukewarm.
4) No understanding: This is the natural consequence of not knowing God or His word. When there is no understanding, people intimate others, follow the herd.
5) Know not to do good: The word of God equips the saints for every good work in every context. (II Timothy 3:16-17) Bible transforms a person’s worldview, attitude, character and behavior that is counter-cultural. Losing the capacity to do good, means to be in a broken relationship with the Lord.
Am I equipped and eager to do good work?