Doing Good

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;”  Philippians 2:3.

One day, years ago, I decided it was time to redo my office and study. It had devolved into such dis-array I never wanted to go there. However, with the help of my family and a good friend, we were able to bring order back out of chaos. I was back doing things I loved which includes reading, writing, and just enjoying quiet and de-stressing times in my office.

Then one day while at a CVS pharmacy picking up some necessary supplies, I happened to walk by a small shelf of books. I love reading; therefore I could not help but peruse the selections that were available. Most of the books were of no interest to me, but one happened to catch my attention. The title was, “The Secret Holocaust Diaries, The untold story of Nonna Bannister.” I looked at the back cover and decided to purchase it, and after I arrived home I started reading it, and I was captivated. It recounts the story of Nonna Lisowskaja Bannister, a young girl from Russia who fled  Ukraine with her mother when Hitler invaded Russia. They were hoping to safely leave by train after her father was savagely beaten to death at the hands of German soldiers. Unfortunately, they were placed in a boxcar by the Germans and taken to a work camp as slaves. I learned there were two classes of people who were taken captive by Hitler, Eastern Europeans/Russians, and the Jews. The first group was treated better than the second, but that was not necessarily good. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in reading historical books focusing on the mid twentieth century.

After finishing the book, I decided to continue in this genre with another book, “Anne Frank, the Biography”. This goes beyond the Diary of Anne Frank and provides additional information regarding her upbringing, family, friends, and a much deeper look into the life of this remarkable young lady. The book was fascinating, but what I found most interesting was the last three pages, which is a note from Miep Gies, the woman who took care of and provided all the Frank family needs as they were in the secret annex, which is what they called their place of hiding. Following is a brief excerpt from this note. The final question of this passage is what I wish to focus on.  But first, here is the excerpt:

“Over the past fifty years, ever since the publication of Anne Frank’s diary, I have been asked again and again how I found the courage to help the Franks. This question, posed sometimes with admiration and sometimes with disbelief, has always made me uncomfortable. Yes, of course it takes courage to do one’s duty as a human being, of course one has to be prepared to make certain sacrifices. But that’s true in many life’s situations. Why then, I keep asking myself, do people ask such a question? Why do so many hesitate when the time comes to help their fellow human beings?”  Miep Gies, January 1998 in Amsterdam, Note in Anne Frank, the Biography.

That is a great question. Why do people hesitate to help those in extremely difficult situations? Why did so many German’s, Dutch, Russians, etc. turn a blind eye to the atrocities being foisted upon the Jews, and many others during World War II?  I would say for several reasons. First, it was fear. When the German’s started their systematic isolation and annihilation of the Jews, they made it illegal for anyone to aid or assist them in any capacity. If someone was caught helping a Jewish person, they were taken into custody and shipped to a labor or death camp, probably never to be seen again. There was no grace and there was no mercy. If they only suspected someone of assisting Jews, even with no proof, it was enough for them to be arrested.

Another reason, which goes along with the first, was the desire not to ruin their own lives. Why make their own lives difficult by helping the Jews? If they just turned away and ignored their plight, they could shield themselves from any repercussions and not be affected by the things going on around them. This is understandable. However, the question I want to ask is, was it the right thing to do?  Let me put here another quote from the note Miep wrote in 1998.

“When we are shocked to think that six million children, women, and men were driven to their deaths and we ask ourselves, “How could such a thing happen?” we should keep in mind the indifference of normal human beings the world over, good, hardworking, and often God-fearing individuals. Of course, it was the Nazi regime that was responsible for the mass murder, but if not for the apathy of people not just in Germany and Austria but everywhere – basically decent people, no doubt — the horrible slaughter could never have assumed the proportions it did.”  Miep Gies, January 1998 in Amsterdam, Note in Anne Frank, the Biography.

After reading all this, I thought over and over about what I would do if I came face to face with pure evil in Christian persecution. How would I respond? Would I cower in fear, or possibly ignore the plight of those being persecuted so that I could be protected? If I were to act in my own strength, I could do both of the aforementioned actions, and I believe many Christians could probably do the same. But in 2 Timothy we read the following.

“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,” 2 Timothy 1:7-9.

Suffering in these circumstances is not necessarily all bad if we are doing His work as He has called us to do.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5.

This is why it is imperative that we draw our strength and courage from God. Let His Spirit do His work through us. As I watch the news, it is evident to me that Christianity is becoming less acceptable and tolerated, due to our Politically Correct (PC) society that says we cannot offend anyone, and that we are to be tolerant of all beliefs and practices held by everyone, except of course those who follow Christ. Our Post-Modern society says that truth is not an absolute but is relative to the society or culture that upholds them. Soon, all things regarding the Christian faith will be questioned and frowned upon, while all other ideas are applauded. And when this time comes, when the persecution and hatred of Christians becomes the norm, will we choose to stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ, or will we cower in fear, turn our heads and walk away? If I walk away in order to avoid persecution, I am saying by my actions that my life is more important than theirs. That their comfort and peace, relative to mine, is incidental. Unless God says with no question, that we are to walk away, then we should stand with them, encouraging them by being willing to sacrifice for their well-being. This is the right thing to do. Jesus never turned away from what He knew was right but in fact died for what was right, and we must be willing to do the same.

I want to encourage everyone who reads this to pray often for those who are suffering under extreme persecution, famine, poverty or anguish. And if it is in our power, take the time to make a difference either financially or with your hands and feet. If you see someone in need, help them. If you see someone mourning, comfort them. If someone is lonely, take the time to visit them. Be willing to sacrifice for the cause of Christ.  Remember the words of Christ in the parable of the sheep and the goats.

“But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”  Matthew 25:31-45.

We must be willing to help everyone who needs assistance as we are able to, and lead others to work with us when we cannot do it ourselves. We must love our neighbors and help them as we can. We see this as the great commandment in Mark.

“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘HEAR, O ISRAEL! THE LORD OUR GOD IS ONE LORD; AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31.