Tears of Concern

Chuckle: "The older I grow the more I distrust the familiar doctrine that age brings wisdom." --H. L. Mencken

Quote: "You may soon forget those with whom you have laughed, but you will never forget those with whom you have wept." –Unknown source

"For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, . . ." (Philippians 3:18-19a NIV).

What does it take to make you cry? Some cry easily; for others it's more difficult. As I get older, I seem to weep more easily and somehow I feel good about that. The Bible says that "Jesus wept" when confronted with the death of his friend, Lazarus (John 11:35). Jesus showed that He cares deeply about our sorrows, enough to weep with us when sorrows overtake us. Being moved to tears by concern is a Biblical way to show our love and compassion for others. Back to my original question: what does it take to make you shed tears?

In our text, Paul was not ashamed to shed tears and neither was he ashamed to tell others about it. His concern, that moved him to tears, was the plight of the unsaved who had declared themselves enemies of Christ. He had a burning desire to see people come to Christ. He was keenly aware of the eternal consequences of their rejecting the salvation that is available only through faith in the crucified, buried, and resurrected Jesus Christ.

It simply broke Paul's heart because he loved people and was terrified that many of them would go out into eternity lost forever with no hope. He was determined to do everything within his power to lead people into a saving relationship with Jesus. He was totally committed to the task of rescuing the perishing.

I ask you again: what does it take to make you cry? How long has it been since you shed tears for an unsaved family member, co-worker, classmate, or neighbor? When we come face to face with the reality that a lost person will spend eternity without God in a place of eternal punishment, and if we really care, the tears should flow freely. But tears without action are wasted. If we see someone drowning, each of us no doubt would shed tears of concern. But if we stand on the shore and cry and do nothing to help the person who is dying, what good are our tears?

Oh, you tears,

I'm thankful that you run.

Though you trickle in the darkness,

You shall glitter in the sun.

The rainbow could not shine if the rain refused to fall,

And the eyes that cannot weep are the saddest eyes of all.

Charles Mackay

Love, Jerry & Dotse