[Biblemat] A> A Fruitless Search

[Steven C. Harper]

From: TRUTH & REASON, a bulletin of the Glendale church of Christ, Glendale, AZ. 
Editor: Steven Harper 
April 6, 2008
A Fruitless Search

 

     Not long after Elijah had been taken up in a whirlwind (2nd Kings 2:11), Elisha crossed over Jordan to the place where the prophets of Jericho were waiting (v. 14). When they came to him, they asked Elisha if he would send all 50 men to search diligently for Elijah, believing that God may have simply placed Elijah in another location, either on a mountain or valley (v. 16), but Elisha said that they should not go. When they persisted to the point of shaming him, Elisha finally commanded that they go and they did so for three days, but without success (v. 17). When they returned to Elisha, he scolded them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?" (v. 18). As diligently as they searched and as hopeful as they might of been of finding Elijah, the search was fruitless and a waste of time - Elijah would not be found anywhere on earth, for he had been taken to heaven.

    A little more than 900 years later, we find two women went to the tomb of a Man who had recently been buried after He had died by crucifixion (Matt. 28:1). When they arrived at the tomb, they found that the stone sealing the tomb had been rolled away and when they entered the tomb, they found the body was gone (Luke 24:2, 3). Two men standing nearby said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen" (vv. 5, 6). They went back to other disciples to tell them of what they had found, but they did not believe (vv. 9-11). Peter (v. 12) and John (John 20:2-6) ran to the tomb and Peter went in first and found only the burial cloths lying by themselves, and John also then entered and saw and believed. I am sure the incredulity of what the women had said was part of their unbelief, but what did Peter and John expect to find when they got to the tomb? If they went to find the body of Jesus, it wasn't there because He had arisen!

    In both cases just described, there were individuals looking for someone they would not find. In each case, the search - no matter how diligent - was useless; they were not going to find the one for whom they searched! In each case, someone said the search was useless, but a search was made nonetheless. In both cases, the searchers discovered that what was told them was true and there was no need for a search. In both cases, the searchers should have saved themselves the time and effort and simply listened.

    But why is it that some just cannot believe without seeing for themselves? Why is it that some persist in looking for the thing that simply cannot be found? Today, we have many supposed 'Bible scholars,' archæologists, and men of high degrees who are searching every inch of soil in the region of Israel and Palestine, every book of antiquity, the biological structure of every living plant or creature, every square centimeter of the universe, and every word in the Bible to find some fault, some inconsistency, some evidence in nature that infallibly proves the recently-contrived theory of evolution, and some incontrovertible evidence that God does not exist. And why do they search so diligently? Why do they spend billions of dollars [including billions of your tax dollars] to find these things?

    They do not want to believe what someone has already told them.

    But lest we think that this is only a problem among those who do not espouse any faith in God or His ways, let us consider some things for which even religious men search today and the fact that these searches are just as fruitless. Just as with the examples given at the beginning of this article, many people could save a lot of time and effort if they would simply listen to what God has said in His written word, the Bible.

    Some Are Looking For God's Special Intervention to Save Them. Back in Arkansas - the root of all charismatic denominations - many people I talked with had been taught [and believed] that they should at some point expect to see some 'blue light in the field' [literally] and experience some 'stirring' in their body that was a sign God had worked salvation in them. When asked about their 'salvation experience,' they would all say in some way or another that it was 'better felt than told' [i.e., they could not ever describe it]. Those who had not yet had this 'salvation experience' were pressured into making some sort of public confession of sins that hindered the Holy Spirit from working on their hearts, and they diligently looked for that moment.

    Sadly, some are so convinced that this is how God works salvation that they pray intensely for hours, deprive themselves of food and water and sleep, and begin to doubt their own spiritual sincerity when it does not happen quickly. Some, never having had the experience, give up on God entirely when it does not happen. Unfortunately, many are still being taught this false expectation and are still being told by their close friends and family that it has already happened to them, further heightening the expectations - and disappointment when it still does not come.

    Many could save themselves a lot of time and effort by just picking up the Bible, reading the examples of conversion in the book of Acts, and following that. It is there that we find the gospel being preached, the gospel believed, men who were willing to repent, and men who were then baptized into Christ - the point where God does the work of salvation (cf. Col. 2:12, 13).

    And then there are those who expect God to make special intervention for them on Judgment Day, though they have never lifted a finger to obey His will during any time of their life on earth. Let us be clear on this: When a man stands before Christ on Judgment Day, it will be to "receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2nd Cor. 5:10); there will be no 'second chance' for salvation. If we have not obeyed while here on earth, we will face the wrath of God (2nd Thess. 1:8).

    Some Are Looking For Scripture That Says They Do Not Have To Do Anything. This could certainly apply to those who believe salvation is all in God's hands, but I speak of those who are true believers, but who see how little they can do for the Lord after they have obeyed the gospel. They will often be heard saying, "That's the preacher's job," or, "I'm too busy," or, "Let someone else do it," or, "Where does it say I have to go on Wednesdays?" The most effort they ever put forth is in trying to find some Scripture that says they don't have to do anything! Shouldn't we be searching for something better than that?

    If you happen to be one of those brothers or sisters who pleads for the 'right' to do nothing for the Lord, I must plead with you from Scripture that tells of our Savior's great love for you and how much He was willing to give for you (cf. Eph. 5:2), and I ask what you are willing to give in return. Instead of searching diligently to find out how little you can do for the Lord, how about searching for more work? We need more workers (Matt. 9:37, 38)! Instead of asking where does it say you 'have' to do these things, why not talk about what you want to do for the Lord? Instead of using work or family or vacations as an excuse to miss the worship assembly, why not prove you seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matt. 6:33) by being here every time the doors are open?

    Won't you join with those who search for the heavenly home?

-- Steven Harper
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