Leave them Alone

Gamaliel’s Law

Gamaliel’s Law - Leave them alone and if they are not of God, they will fade away like all the other dross.

Acts 5:34-39 “Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.” “

You know, I think this story from Acts 5 is one of the best teaching aids in the whole Bible. It teaches that, above all else, that wisdom and a little caution is nearly always the best policy. What an incredible piece of wise advice – “If this plan is of men – it will come to nothing. But if it is of God, do not oppose it lest you end up opposing God.”

How much grief would the church, the theologians, the legalists, save themselves if they heeded this advice. The trouble is that no-one these days deals in gray areas any more. It has to be black or white. I have to be right and you have to be wrong. Have we grown so proud?, so pumped up in our view of our own importance?, that we have lost all patience and all tolerance? Why can we no longer ‘Leave them alone and if they are not of God, they will fade away like all the other dross?’

In the great scheme of things, we so surround ourselves with those who share our point of view that we seem to have lost the ability to receive criticism gracefully and with concern for another’s point of view. This is so sad because it causes us, in our egotistical pride, to schism or split with our brothers and sisters. Over what? Frequently it’s a storm in a teacup – of very little consequence – of little or no importance whatsoever to the majority. Yet we blow it out of all proportion. We so love the sound of our own voices that we build mountains out of molehills instead of commanding the mountains to “Go in Jesus Name.”

Can we return to a little sanity please. Can we have a little wisdom with our passion and a little less pride in our passion. Can we apply Gamaliel’s Law – “Leave them alone and if they are not of God, they will fade away like all the other dross.” We are to love our neighbours, friends, and enemies. How can we do that by continually shouting their faults at them whilst ignoring our own.

“A gentle answer turns away wrath” Proverbs 15:1