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 In
a tribute to Thomas Campbell, written in 1853, Edward Orvis commended
his example to “the philosophic mystics of the day—the
superspiritualized, infatuated with self, whose highest evidence of
their interest in Christ consisted in their contempt of those who
differ with them, and their own self-complacency...“That caught my
eye—and I hoped the writer was not venting his spleen upon one of
his own critics.
In
any event, it does seem that some measure their “soundness” on
the basis of their opposition to others. Their “evidence” is
wholly negative. “We must be right, for look at all the things we
are against!” Well, there is plenty of error to be fought but our
attitude should never be that of contempt. And how are my own deeds
justified by another’s failures. Only the self-deceived see
themselves elevated because others are debased.
My
attention was called anew to the record of our Lord’s most severe
denunciations. In Matt. 23: seven woes are directed against the
Scribes and Pharisees of Jerusalem. They are direct, negative,
cutting. But I notice that His concluding statements reveal deep
concern. “Oh Jerusalem... how often would I have gathered thy
children tgether... etc.” So, I made a further study of the “woes!”
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Barclay
says, “The Greek word for woe is “ouai”: it is hard to
translate for it includes not only wrath, but also sorrow.
There is righteous anger here, but it is the anger of the heart of
love, broken by the stubborn blindness of men.” Goodspeed
translates it, “Alas!” It is called by Thayer “an interjection
of grief or denunciation.” My Greek teacher said it was
onomatopoeic—a word formed in imitation of a sound. “Ouai”,
pronounced as a groan, and often repeated two or three times,
suggests despair, grief, or other strong emotions. It sounds
of calamity, divine penalty and woe, and indicated Jesus’ deep
feeling for those who rejected Him.
Our
“interest in Christ” is best measured by the extent to which we
follow His example (1 Pet. 2:21), and “contempt for those who
differ” is NOT characteristic of our Lord. True greatness is found
in sacrificial service to others. (Matt. 20:26-28)
Sin
must be fought, and error denounced. Its devastating effect will not
be avoided by compromise, under the guise of love. We may, in fear
“hate even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 23), but
mercy and compassion for men’s souls must prevail. Our “woe”
must be an echo from Jesus.
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