3/12/26

Deuteronomy 22:1 NASB95 “You shall not see your countryman’s ox or his sheep straying away, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly bring them back to your countryman.

I live in the country and it is pretty common to see a neighbor's cow out of the pasture. It is common practice, as we see this, to let the neighbor know. I could not even begin to think of the times I have gone to the door of people I don't know to see if the cow belongs to them or if they might know whose cow it is.

Of course, this has happened numerous times with dogs who have turned up at the house, and once even with a small child who had wandered away.

We consider this to be the neighborly, kind, and caring thing to do. After all, they are fellow countrymen.

Being a part of the United States I want to help others who are my fellow citizens. The same goes for fellow Tennesseans. I am thankful that I belong to this area, this, state, and this country. I believe most people who belong to this area, state, and nation feel similarly. I believe most would do the same thing when they see that cattle, sheep, horses, pets, and/or children have wandered away.

However, I am puzzled by the fact that I belong to another place which I am even more thankful to be a part of. Yet I don't seem to take the same care when someone from there has wandered away. Of course, I am speaking of my citizenship in heaven and my membership in the church. Every church I know has a membership that is almost double that of their regular attendance. Yet few seem to care. Have we gone looking for them?

It all starts when we see a brother or sister struggling and we don't want to get involved. So we don't go to them with a desire to assist them. We see them struggling with sin and we are too busy to help them. We see them living in sin and we don't want to correct them and help them repent (return) to their home. We say we are concerned with growing the kingdom of God, but if we are not willing to care for His Kingdom why would we think more would want to come? Now I know sometimes we try to help and they kick back. A ox that kicks back can hurt. But if you don't get it out of the road and back into the pin then that family of five that is coming over the hill in their car might hit it. If so they will likely be severely injured or even killed simply because you were afraid that it might kick back or step on your foot.

How many people are not part of the Kingdom because we were afraid to try to get the wandering Christian to repent and return to the church?

Are you the person who is dedicated to taking care of the people by trying to get the cow out of the road?

Or.

Are you the person who ignores it and goes on?

Or.

Are you the cow?

Deuteronomy 22:1 NASB95 “You shall not see your countryman’s ox or his sheep straying away, and pay no attention to them; you shall certainly bring them back to your countryman.

It is past time for us to obey and attempt to bring them back to God. Yes, there is a chance we might get gored but think of how many lives we might see saved when the ox is not blocking the road.

Love Bro. Scott