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 Long
ago at the Olympic Games in Athens, it is said a feeble old man
came in late. No seats were left. As he passed their seats, the
Athenians laughed at him. Then he passed two Spartans. Quickly
they rose to offer him a seat, for they had been trained to be
modest and courteous. When the Athenians saw this, they cheered
the Spartans. “Ah,” said the old man, “The Athenians
admire what is right; the Spartans practice it.” (Story
courtesy of that prolific writer, brother Selected).
A
godly man died suddenly. People were shocked — stunned by the
unexpected. Brethren in Christ felt keenly the loss of a
dependable worker and companion. Men of all classes and
persuasions gathered in small groups to sadly shake their heads,
recall the past, and applaud a good man.
“He
was sure a hard worker — always tried to do more than was
expected.” That was true. He exemplified Paul’s admonition:
“... let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is
good, that he may have to give to him that needeth” (Eph.
4:28). It was not the statement that was amazing but who said it
— a lazy fellow who did nothing he could get out of.
Another
added, “He was surely honest — as honest as the day is long.”
A thought flashes to mind: “Provide things honest in the sight
of all men” (Rom. 12:17). No one disagreed, but these words of
praise fell from lips skilled in lies wherever a dollar is at
stake.
The
applause continues: “He was a church going man. Surely if
there was ever a Christian, he was one.” Heads nod agreement,
but neither they nor the speaker are accustomed to filling a pew
when people
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gather to worship. They are more in the habit
of walking roughshod over the principles of Christianity than in
keeping them.
A
preacher spoke to mourners of his dead friend and the Bible he
lived by. “What a beautiful eulogy.” Yet many who were
impressed by the words spoken refuse to live so that such can
honestly be said of them.
When
the applause subsides, an observer is compelled to add a final
word — “Go, and do thou likewise” (Lk. 10: 37). No greater
tribute can be paid a good man than to imitate his devotion to
good. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who
through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Heb. 6:12).
I
can’t help thinking as a result of listening and observing:
Many
people pay little attention in life to the things that are so
important when it comes time to die.
We
are so prone to compliment others for the very virtues which we
carefully avoid cultivating in ourselves.
A
godly man commands the admiration of all — even the vile and
irreligious.
There
are far more people willing to applaud a good life that are
willing to make the sacrifices necessary to live one.
Some
folk are content with the office of spectator — applauding
good but not practicing it.
Joe Fitch.
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