Steven Caruana

Cry Aloud, Show My People Their Transgression

Isaiah 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

In my experience I have come across this verse many times and seen in it a personal calling of great duty toward my fellow men. The unfortunate thing however is that it has taken me some time to really comprehend its valuable meaning and practical application. I am naturally a man that loves to debate. To match wit against wit and prove that which I hold to be true. It has been my upbringing; my scholarly mind when challenged rises to that challenge and with voice or pen is able to present logical reasons for what I am defending with evidence to back up the viewpoint. When it comes to the truth, I have unfortunately many a time approached the Isaiah 58:1 calling with the same scholarly zeal. This especially is the case on Facebook. I have many a time seen postings and thought to myself, no that isn’t right I need to correct this. I need to lift up my voice and show the people their transgression. In one instance I can remember discussing the ‘Nature of Christ’ and the hours I spent in finding quotes to support my stand. What had begun as an open question, 600 comments later I had found to be in the exact same position as when it started.

My views continued to be presented whilst the alternative continued to be presented. There seemed no way that unity would be reached on the matter and in my mind I thought if I could present it this way or that, or use this evidence or that I could bring the others to see my point of view and thus show them their error. My wife, being very patient with me would often ask me are you still on about that? Caught up in zeal to prove the Truth I would say I need to present it in this certain way or that. And when the hours of commentary turned to days and weeks my wife finally said to me, ‘you know what you are? You are a keyboard warrior.’ The statement took me back but it had caused me to reconsider what I was doing. 600 comments and no one had budged and what was it that we were in debate about again? Oh, the Nature of Christ. Here I was debating about it but how far I was from obtaining to it. But Isaiah 58:1, the responsibility? I looked into the verse again to gain a deeper appreciation in light of my recent experience; I looked further into its context:

Isaiah 58:2-7 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God:they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, [say they], and thou seest not? [wherefore] have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours. Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness:ye shall not fast as [ye do this] day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? [is it] to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes [under him]? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? [Is] not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? [Is it] not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

What immediately stood out for me were the two views of keeping the fast presented. The first in which the children of Israel stood as though blameless wondering why the witness could not see the affliction and fasting they were displaying. This was then revealed to them as self-righteous acts filled with wickedness for the purpose of exalting themselves and condemning others. The second view presented is the correct view in which it stood out that the purpose of the calling of Isaiah 58:1 was to lift the burdens of those in error by a loving practical ministry. As I pondered this, I wondered on the words show my people their transgression, how could I tell someone their errors in a practical loving ministry? Then that word show beamed into my mind. Show. I don’t know about you but I don’t know of an instance when you want to tell someone something and it required their eyes. The true meaning of the verse is that in order to lift up the trumpet and show others their sins is not to point out errors but to be an example of a life contrary to sin.

If we wish to direct others in the path of righteousness, the principles of righteousness must be enshrined in our own hearts. Our profession of faith may proclaim the theory of religion, but it is our practical piety that holds for the word of truth. The consistent life, the holy conversation, the unswerving integrity, the active, benevolent spirit, the godly example, —these are the mediums through which light is conveyed to the world. — {Desire of Ages 306-7}

What Doth Your Arguing Reprove?

If we are honest with our calling, we seek to save that which was lost as Christ did also. Especially when we are in a sin sick world and we see people longing for something better but often those in need of Christ are met with so called Christians who rather than encourage them in their need do the opposite. This was the case for poor stricken Job.

Job 6:24-27 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue:and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are right words. but what doth your arguing reprove? Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, [which are] as wind? Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig [a pit] for your friend.

What doth your arguing reprove? What a statement. In a sin sick world when we debate the Christian topics and doctrines, what are we trying to prove? Are we helping our Brother or Sister in their needs or are we pounding them with the fist of wickedness?

When a crisis comes in the life of any soul, and you attempt to give counsel or admonition, your words will have only the weight of influence for good that your own example and spirit have gained for you. – {Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 127.}

How can we expect others in crisis to want to turn to us for counsel when we present the Word of God and yet it has no effect because we have had a spirit in our dealings with people that are wrong? If they cannot see the sincerity of your words match the genuineness of your life, what power has your words? They are as wind. It is a sad reality that many, inclusive of myself struggle with this. Debating rather than witnessing by our example. Would you like the record of your efforts to come to this?

…a fighter, contending and debating, as was his habit, driving people away from the truth rather than into it. – {Evangelism, 572}

What sure result will come from manifesting such a spirit?

Hearts might have been won, but the combative armor was put on. Strong meat was thrust upon them and the souls that might have been won were driven farther off than before. The combative armor, the debating spirit, must be laid off. If we would be Christ like we must reach men where they are. – {Evangelism, 248-9}

If you recall your own walk with God, could you imagine if everything that you now know was thrust upon you all at once? I couldn’t handle it. Why do we often think others can? We trust at them scripture after scripture and evidence upon evidence and it’s all too much people become discouraged rather then see the beauty of those truths.

Point Them to Jesus’ Love

What counsel can we find comfort in for our efforts to witness?

Proverb 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

How beautiful. Does it ring a bell? Can you remember how you were persuaded to the truth? Was it through debate or was it patient efforts and a soft and gentle tongue? Perhaps debate sparked your interest but did it spark your heart service? How should we deal with others?

If you see imperfections in them, do not discourage them and drive them from the truth by manifesting an overbearing, critical spirit. This is not the spirit of Christ. What does God say? Come now, and let us reason together. He does not say, You are defective, and I will have nothing to do with you. Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land. – {Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 121}

Love must be the prevailing element in all our work. In the representation of others who do not believe as we do, every speaker must guard against making statements that will appear severe and like judging. Present the truth, and let the truth, the Holy Spirit of God, act as a reprover, as a judge; but let not your words bruise and wound the soul…. – {Evangelism, 303}

What sparked your heart service?

Only by love is love awakened {Desire of Ages, 22}

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Christ Jesus did. By His love did He awoke love in us. Do you remember when you first loved the Lord and your eyes were opened to view what He had done for you? Did it happen like this?

With untold love our God has loved us, and our love awakens toward Him as we comprehend something of the length and breadth and depth and height of this love that passeth knowledge. By the revelation of the attractive loveliness of Christ, by the knowledge of His love expressed to us while we were yet sinners, the stubborn heart is melted and subdued, and the sinner is transformed and becomes a child of heaven. God does not employ compulsory measures; love is the agent which He uses to expel sin from the heart. By it He changes pride into humility, and enmity and unbelief into love and faith…. – {Reflecting Christ, 73}

Indeed it did as we behold Christ’s love, that love begun our walk and sustains our walk and should be the very power and reason by which we seek others. I once had a powerful experience of this love in its practical manifestation. I was going through a very difficult time and I often saw a family doctor who was so nice and encouraging. He would take time to talk to my wife and I and took a real interest in our life, in our children and our situation. This doctor was a Christian man of some sort and after I had told him of my difficulties as to a friend he asked me for my bank details and gave me $500 to sort through my difficulties. He also gave me a food hamper that his mother had prepared for us. This man, his family practically strangers had shown me love that not even my family had. He had reached me in my need and practically met me where I was. He offered me his hand and pulled me from the pit of my despair. It was the nicest thing someone had done for me and it brought me to tears. All pride was put aside as I beheld the practical manifestation of the Lords love through a human being.

Remember From Whence You Are Fallen (Back To the Pit)

In contrast to the act of love I see in my experience times when I have done the opposite to love. Oh how I hope that the record of my life does not come to this:

James 1:26-27 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion [is] vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Let each member of the church study this important warning and reproof. Let each one see if in contending for the truth, if in debating on the theory, he has not lost the tender love of Christ. Has not Christ been left out of the sermons, and out of the heart? Is there not danger that many are going forward with a profession of the truth, doing missionary work, while the love of Christ has not been woven into the labor? This solemn warning from the True Witness means much; it demands that you shall remember from whence you are fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else, says the True Witness, I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent (Revelation 2:5). – {Selected Messages, Book One, 370}

We need always in our relation with others to remember the pit in which God pulled us from. How then can we look at others and debate with them about all the wrongs they do or hold and yet not see the very position from which God called us. Were we in darkness before we saw the light?

Learn From the Apostles & Prophets

1 John 1:3 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

As Christ’s representatives the apostles were to make a decided impression on the world. The fact that they were humble men would not diminish their influence, but increase it; for the minds of their hearers would be carried from them to the Saviour, who, though unseen, was still working with them. The wonderful teaching of the apostles, their words of courage and trust, would assure all that it was not in their own power that they worked, but in the power of Christ. Humbling themselves, they would declare that He whom the Jews had crucified was the Prince of life, the Son of the living God, and that in His name they did the works that He had done. – {Acts of the Apostles, 22}

What should our words be filled with? Let us learn from the Apostles and Prophets of old who rather than using their understanding of truth to debate praised God and spoke of His wonder.

Psalm 35:28 And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness [and] of thy praise all the day long.

They do not use their God-given powers in arguing and debating. Pointing to Calvary, they cry, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. Like Moses, they endure the seeing of him who is invisible. Through their efforts, souls are won to Christ; for God is with them. – {Review & Herald October 29, 1903}

What then shall our efforts be?

With hearts filled with sympathy and compassion, they are to minister to those in need of help, bringing to sinners a knowledge of the Saviour’s love. Such work calls for laborious effort, but it brings a rich reward. Those who engage in it with sincerity of purpose will see souls won to the Saviour, for the influence that attends the practical carrying out of the divine commission is irresistible. – {Acts of the Apostles, 109}

End Times Like No Other Time

You might say okay that was fine in those times but a new method is needed now. People need to get into these debates just to talk about Godly things, you may point to the following as reason why different tactics are needed today.

Ezekiel 14:14 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord GOD, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.

and yet…

Romans 5:20 …But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound

Now in this darkest age is the love of God more revealed because of the fact that sin does abound so greatly. Speak and show to others His love and the seed will grow because the contrast between this present time and God’s love manifested through Jesus is so much greater then ever before.

Hard and dark as the world is, the influence of a really consistent example will be a power for good. {Christian Service 68}

Their hearts may be as hard as the beaten highway, and apparently it may be a useless effort to present the Saviour to them; but while logic may fail to move, and argument be powerless to convince, the love of Christ, revealed in personal ministry, may soften the stony heart, so that the seed of truth can take root. – {Gospel Workers, 185}

Keyboard Warrior or Soldier for Jesus Christ?

We have no time, no words to spend in controversy. That time devoted to debating is needed in sending up the prayer of faith to God for the descent of the Holy Spirit to subdue and break the heart of stone, that it shall become a heart of flesh. There is need of sanctified energy. The armies of heaven are on the move and where is the human agent to co-operate with God? – {Testimonies to Southern Africa, 44}

God is looking for an army of soldiers and not keyboard warriors, He is looking for those who will preach the gospel and if necessary use words. And He knows how dark the world is now so He is ever present to give us hope afresh and encouragement as well.

2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

So which will you be a keyboard warrior or a soldier for Christ?

Amen.