MUSINGS

“THY NEIGHBOUR” In 1953 an extraordinary tidal surge swept down the North Sea, causing serious flooding and loss of life in England and Holland. A large Thames-side industrial concern I knew well was inundated and put out of action. Yet the owners had taken great care that their part of the river wall should be sound—and it stood. But a mile away another section of the wall, not so well cared for, gave way and the whole area was flooded. I cite this to illustrate the need to consider not only ourselves, but our neighbours.

A father and mother may be doing their utmost to preserve their family from what is worldly and damaging. Other parents may allow their children to go in for worldly things, and they take many forms. The effect may well be to undermine all that godly care and concern—‘Mr. X. lets his children do this and that—Why can’t we?’ So let us consider very carefully our heavy responsibility toward others. Paul speaks about this in Romans—“Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love works no ill to its neighbour; love therefore is the whole law”

(Romans 13: 9, 10); “Let each one of us please his neighbour with a view to what is good, to edification. For the Christ also did not please himself” (Romans 15: 2, 3).

There is urgent need to remember the influence each of us has on others, for good or evil, and I incur a serious responsibility if anything I allow, personally or in my household, is a stumbling-block to others. Far better to curb my tastes, or my idea of ‘liberty’, if in that way I can help to preserve others in the unworldliness and simple devotion to a rejected Christ which should mark His lovers and followers.

FCM