Recently I posed a question to a independent Christian organization regarding the opposition we're facing with the adoption and the confusion around the "true" meaning of James 1:27 - specifically the words "care for" and "visit". The response I received caught me a little off guard but I am not surprised by it.
It would seem that even in the realm of performing service for the Lord, you cannot escape political correctness. In this case, the basic question is, "what are we as Christians supposed to do regarding widows and orphans?" It seems to be a simple enough question and being the straight forward kind of person that I am, I expected a straight forward kind of answer. Here is what I got:
Dear Dan,
While it is not our the policy to become involved in the differences between churches and their members, we take the majority view that widows and orphans are both an individual and church responsibility. Most of the social service problems of today could be solved if all of the body of Christ took this issue to heart.
We urge you not to become critical of your church leadership. Prayerfully submit yourself to God's guidance and their leadership. Unless God places you into another fellowship, we encourage you to remain where you are under their authority. To us, this is a simple trust issue and a question of whether everyone involved has the courage to lay it all before Christ and then to do as He directs.
Your job is to follow Christ's example and do the work to which you are called. Perhaps your simple, but active service to widows and orphans can be the long-term catalyst for heart change among your fellow believers. Again, trust in God's plan and timing.
Thank you again for writing. “Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think… to Him be the glory.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Even though my question was not directly answered, some other very important issues were addressed in their response. Specifically, what is "my" responsibility towards the Lord's work. The answer is: my job is to serve the Lord. Part of serving is submitting myself to the authority placed over me.
Another issue is one of attitude. A critical view towards those with whom I disagree, regardless of who is right (assuming someone is actually right). In the end, my actions will either glorify the Lord or reflect poorly on Him and myself.
What I was after was a confirmation that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing and I believe I have that. Jesus summed up all the laws in this:
1. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind
2. Love your neighbor as yourself
We can trade our endless supply of rules, regulations and procedural steps and trade them with these 2 commands (the Lord's yoke) to lighten our burden. It seems simple enough. I never thought it would be so hard to do the right thing. Perhaps this is only a glimpse of what the apostle Paul thought as he was getting chased out of town or stoned. Yikes!
