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 The
papers discuss “reaction” politics, and brethren talk about
“reaction” sermons — usually when they do not like direct
application of principles to current problems — and “reaction
to reaction” has become a popular pastime these days. There is
validity in warnings about over-reacting — and capitalizing on
“reaction” to further personal ends.
A
philosophy or pattern of conduct that is wholly “reaction”
has certain weaknesses. It is completely negative, having no
positive goals for sustained motivation. It is unstable, rushing
here and there to meet various foes; and if things get dull, it
has a tendency to imagine foes. And, “reaction” framed in
the heat of battle sometimes offers a “frying pan to the fire”
solution.
Much
of our preaching on fundamentals of the gospel has been in
reaction to error, and has deprived us of the rich, positive
understanding of truth sorely needed in our lives. The
denominations abuse the subject of “Grace,” so — we react
by gloriously exposing their error, and never get around to
savoring the depth and sweetness of God’s Grace positively.
Reaction to “faith only” has been so strong that many can
scarcely read a passage on salvation by faith and enjoy and
appreciate what it DOES say. We are too busy telling what it
does NOT mean. We know “conscience” is NOT the standard of
truth; but how many appreciate this moral governor for its
legitimate role in our lives, or realize the necessity of
heeding it?
When
our study and thinking is done chiefly in “reaction” to a
specific practice or statement we may pick at words, or
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formulate arguments to meet immediate
needs, and be drawn “off -side” of the basic principle. A
steady diet of such “reaction” preaching may saddle a church
with a long list of scattered arguments that grow stale as
issues change and their relevance fades — and no universally
sound principles by which to meet the issues of the coming
generation.
But
we must not discredit all reaction. Response to stimuli is a
sign of life. We have no praise for the saint, or body of
saints, so devoid of spirit that they can not be moved to
action. As each new day has its own evils, we must shift our
weight here and there, keeping balance, and striking Satan at
every opportunity. Perhaps “keeping balance” is the real key
to a successful fight in the long run. The “reaction”
fighter throws himself off balance with his “hay- maker” and
lacks the stability to endure blows from another direction.
Sometimes
over-reaction is proof of weakness, a blind striking out under
the influence of fear. But men who love the truth will fight for
it, and strength of conviction may have a lot to do with the
nature of the action. There are young men today who are
hypercritical of the “reaction” preachers of yesterday —
who feast on advantages of truth they would never have had
except for the labor of the men they criticize. Much truth is
found and proven in the trial of fire.
And
pity those who lack courage, and faint for fear of “reaction.”
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