Reaction

This is reprinted from the November, 1971 edition of Plain Talk, a publication of the Oaks West Church of Christ in Burnet, Texas. Robert F. Turner was the editor.

The papers discuss "reaction" politics and brethren talk about "reaction" sermons, usually when thy 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 formulate arguments to meed 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 trials of fire.

And pity those who lack courage and faint for fear of "reaction."