We Can’t Afford To Sit Quietly

As I am writing this, I acknowledge that Christians are called to live quietly and at peace. HOWEVER, we do not let the world determine what that means, we let the WORD do that. To live quietly and be at peace means to not stir up trouble, to be involved with rebellions, and to submit, in all things, to Christ. Note this: in His earthly ministry, Jesus wasn’t about social issues. He never railed against the Roman occupation, going so far as to tell them to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s and to give to God what belongs to Him; Caesar’s image was on his coins, so give it back to Caesar if he demanded a tax, God’s image is stamped on YOU so give it all to Him.

Jesus tried drawing all men to the Father, crying out “Repent, for the Kingdom is at hand!” And if Jesus lived that way, and we are stamped with His image and sealed by His Spirit, and carry His name (Christian means “little Christ”), then we ought to do as He did, and as His apostles did and his followers have done ever since. The same Gospel Message is as true then as it is now, and we have a task before us: to go and make disciples of all nations. People are dying every day without realizing it, and we have the message that Christ carried, the words of eternal life; we cannot afford to sit quietly!

Loved ones, whether it is to our friends, our enemies, our coworkers, fellow students, or whomever else, the words of eternal life are for everyone, and we need to give it to them. Whether a one-time meeting, or discipleship over time, we have a task to perform. God does not want that any should perish but all should come to repentance, doesn’t he? And if that is His desire, shouldn’t we, who carry the message of the Gospel bring it to everyone? And if we carry the message, let us be prepared for what will be said: people will call us hateful things, such as bigot, and will do all they can to silence us on the way, even going so far as to try and kill us, and why? Because the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, and when the light shines on the darkness, the darkness cannot stand it. Let us, yes, speak the truth in love, but let us do so with boldness, knowing that, should the worse happen to us, we will be at home with Jesus, and we might even take some of our enemies with us!

1 Peter 3:8-27

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For

“Whoever desires to love life

and see good days,

let him keep his tongue from evil

and his lips from speaking deceit;

let him turn away from evil and do good;

let him seek peace and pursue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,

and his ears are open to their prayer.

But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.

Romans 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.