Several principles are illustrated in the photo we have included today . I took it from a collection of photos of men in precarious positions, doing things in ways which could never be described as, “the right way .” The collection was entitled “Why men don’t live as long as women .”
The workman below may have read the words on the banner, but it’s plain that they had not sunk in! As that is illustrated below, it was also found among many of the Jews in Jesus’ ministry . He described them as having eyes but not seeing, and ears, but not hearing .
Another scenario could be that, like many others, he read them and considered them sound counsel, but did not think they applied to him . We may make the mistake of reading the Bible, or hearing it preached and taught, with that same failure to make a personal application .
One more principle might be gleaned from this scene . For those in positions of oversight, when we give someone a task, do we make sure they have the means to accomplish it? The safety committee at this plant had a goal of raising safety awareness and thereby lowering accident rates . They thought their part was done when they left word with a laborer that these signs were to be hung in prominent places . Obviously, that wasn’t quite enough instruction for this young man!
Part of the work of Pastors and leaders is that of “the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry .” It is an ongoing process with the objective of changing our thinking to be more in line with the mind of Christ, so that our actions and our temperament will also be becoming more Christ-like . Paul told the Corinthian church that “we have the mind of Christ .” We do . We have his Word . To this banner-hanger we might call out, “Hey Buddy, do what your sign says and you’ll live longer and better!” To the brethren we might cry out, “Hey Brother, do what your Bible says and you’ll live longer and better!”
