** A Suggestion or a Command?

In your junior high English class, perhaps you remember studying the four classes of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative and exclamatory or maybe not,  because you were busy with other important English lessons that day which did not stress grammar that is “The system of rules implicit in a language, viewed as a mechanism for generating all possible sentence in that language.”  But on the chance you were paying attention, try to recall one of the kinds of sentences studied:  imperative.
By definition such a sentence expresses a command usually with the second person pronoun ‘you’ understood such as (You) Listen. The sentence is rather emphatic in that it expresses something that requires deliberate, immediate action; it is not a declarative suggestion.
Now to the subject at hand. Recently local groups of church members have been involved in overseas mission trips designed to do two things:  bring medical treatment to third world natives visited and also to expose them to Christianity as a way of life – by word and deed.
There are many reasons why someone would volunteer to participate in such a mission, altruism (concern for the welfare of others) being an important one,  But for some Christians, the concern is more than an intellectual,  religious concept, one to be studied, discussed and even supported through resources (Write a check and relieve the feeling of guilt.).  For others this level of engagement clearly stated in the Bible is more than a suggestion or option, it is clearly a command which they take seriously enough to ‘walk the talk’ that is to become actively involved in a personal commitment to be a party to changing lives  by servicing and witnessing.
Now for the vast majority who understand this imperative but elect not to support and participate in such causes, here are some excuses they will find useful:  It’s more than an overnight trip and I am a homebody.  I am a finicky eater and dislike trying new foods.  I cannot afford the expenses involved.  I do not speak a foreign language and my efforts would be wasted.  I cannot leave my job. I am afraid to fly.  My family needs me here.  I support such mission programs through my church.  I do not have any skills that could be effectively used. I will include the mission project in my prayers.  Let the government do it.
**  Matthew 28:18-20  –  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. (You)  Go therefore and (you)  make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
And if you are still in doubt, consider this:  Matthew 25:40 –  “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”
Bill Lee, PO Box 128,
Hamer, SC 29547

Print Friendly, PDF & Email