Help Requested...and Denied

This is the image for the main article currently running on foxnews.com. In case you don't know, this article is about the ongoing investigation regarding the terrorist attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya on September 11th of this year. Four Americans were killed during this attack including Ambassador Christopher Stevens. This incident, and specifically the government's response to this incident, has been the source of much controversy in recent weeks. And if this foxnews article is any kind of indicator, the issue isn't going away. Now it's being asserted that the CIA annex in Benghazi sent three requests for military backup and were denied all three times. The point? Such an inadequate response to such a dangerous situation resulted in unnecessary deaths. At least, that's the charge.

 

On a spiritual level, I'm afraid that there are Christians among us who are really struggling, and even if they're not asking for help, they're in desperate need of our help. How should we respond to our brethren in their time of desparation? Should we ignore their requests? Should we pass over their subtle pleas for help? Should we close our eyes to their body gestures - the sadness in their eyes, the way they're beginning to isolate themselves, the missed services, the remarks on Facebook?

 

Or, when we see our brethren in need, should we rush to their aid?

 

Let the Scriptures speak for themselves...

"Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:1-2).

"If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?" (James 2:15-16).

I know that we're all busy. We have families that need us. We have full-time jobs. We have appointments scheduled, vacations planned and errands to run. But we need to make time to strengthen those among us who are weak and in need.