Wow, How Times Have Changed!

William Carey’s first paragraph below, in the original language and then in modern English, is a statement which I think all of us will agree with, but not the second paragraph. How times have changed. Today, the challenge may be the same for the new convert that the missionary cares for, but not for the average person in the country from which the missionary came. “God’s word is more respected”? I think not! Read on!

Carey’s original text:
To bear the faults of our native brethren, so as to reprove them with tenderness, and set them right in the necessity of a holy conversation, is a very necessary duty. We should remember the gross darkness in which they were so lately involved, having never had any just and adequate ideas of the evil of sin, or its consequences. We should also recollect how backward human nature is in forming spiritual ideas and entering upon a holy self-denying conversation. We ought not, therefore, even after many falls, to give up and cast away a relapsed convert while he manifests the least inclination to be washed from his filthiness.

In walking before native converts, much care and circumspection are absolutely necessary. The falls of Christians in Europe have not such a fatal tendency as they must have in this country, because there the word of God always commands more attention than the conduct of the most exalted Christian. But here those around us, in consequence of their little knowledge of the scriptures, must necessarily take our conduct as a specimen of what Christ looks for in His disciples. They know only the Saviour and His doctrine as they shine forth in us.

Modern English version:
To bear with the faults of our fellow believers and gently correct them, guiding them toward a holy life, is very important. We should remember the deep ignorance they were in, having never fully understood the seriousness of sin or its consequences. We must also consider how difficult it is for human nature to grasp spiritual truths and live a self-denying life. Therefore, we should not give up on someone who has relapsed, as long as they show any desire to change.

When interacting with new converts, we must be very careful and thoughtful. The mistakes of Christians in Europe (200 years ago) don’t have the same severe impact as they do here, because there, God’s word is more respected than the behaviour of any believer. Here (in India 200 years ago), however, people have limited knowledge of the scriptures, so they often look to our actions as examples of what Christ expects from His followers. They understand the Savior and His teachings through our behaviour.

1 Thess 2:7,10-12: But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

Galatians 4:19: My little children, for whom I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you