By Tom Davis
Here is the introduction of the book:
"The Christian church owes an apology to the almost fifty million individuals in our world currently infected with HIV/AIDS.
Those of us who claim to follow Christ's teachings should be ashamed for what little we've done to help the countless millions of women, children, and orphans who have died or are dying. Entire nations are going up in flames while we watch them burn.
Bono and the supporters of the ONE Campaign are right to words like "crisis" and "emergency" when taking about the situation in Africa. The continent is on fire with AIDS, and unless drastic action is taken, entire countries will be wiped off the face or the planet by this disease.
Sadly, the church has been slow to act in response to this crisis. Like the priest and Levite of Jesus' parable, we have passed by the man on the side of the road, too busy or too "holy" to involve ourselves in lending a helping hand.
Africa is indeed on fire. But as we argue or fuss about how it started and who should be saved first, thousands more children are orphaned each day. Every hour, another one thousand children will die. Did you know that you are just a short plane ride away from a world where eight-year-olds prostitute themselves for food?
The true state of emergency lies within the church-it lies within us. It's OUR problem! We can't leave Africa's children lying by the side of the road as we pass on by.
The gospel I believe in offers a cup of cold water in Jesus' name. The only gospel worth living is the one that incarnates love. The only gospel worth giving our lives for is the one that elevates the needs of others above our own. That's what the "good news" is all about.
And thankfully, there is more good news. Though the church has been slow to move, things are improving. National and local church leaders are beginning to challenge congregations to think globally when they offer that cup of cold water. Christian organizations are responding with more and more boldness. Still, we have a lot to learn and a long way to go. History will judge our generation by how we responded to those in need. History will judge the church by how it responded. We have an opportunity to show the world just what it truly means to be Christ-followers.
We can make a difference. We can change the world. When we lead with compassion, we can move from apology to action. And out of action springs hope-hope and life.
So, for our mistakes...I am sorry. But for our potential, for the impact you and I can have on a world in need... I am hopeful."
Here is another part of the book that talks about why we don't do more to help:
"So why don't we do more to help others? Sadly, many of us live in a world of shadows. In the realm of shadows, we seek only those things that help us to remain in the fog of comfort and safety. This isn't to say that comfort and safety are bad things, but when we fall into the trance of believing they are the only things, we become isolated from greater truths. Two things keep us in the shadows: discomfort with interruption and fear.
As a culture, we don't do well with interruption. Interruption brings change, and change is uncomfortable... And then there is fear. Fear is almost as pervasive in our culture as Starbucks or Wal-Mart... Fear brings the "what ifs" to the surface: What if I become too involved in someone else's life and I lose something from my own life? What if it costs me my life? What if? What if? Line up enough of these "what ifs" and they start to tower over us, placing us... you guessed it... back in the shadows....
Fear keeps us from acting on the compassion in our hearts. It also keeps us from receving what we desperately need in our own lives. However, when we give greatly to others, we receive tremendous blessings back into our lives. Jesus said, "Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back- given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity" (Luke 6:38).
This book is filled with so much more, and is a must read!
I finished reading this book about a week ago, and even more so now as I am typing this, I am really starting to feel the power of these words. This book has really opened my eyes to the emergency, these people really need help, how can we turn them down??
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