Finding the Balance

Write From My Heart

August 10, 2020

Finding the Balance

Hosea 4:1 (NIV)

… There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land.

1Thessalonians 4:11 (NIV)

Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business…

1 Thessalonians 5:13 (NIV)

… Live in peace with each other.

            Our nation is experiencing times of uncertainty, turmoil, riots, destruction, and chaos in many parts of our country. Some would pretend things are still okay, as in the old adage “out of sight, out of mind.” This is truly a dangerous position to take. Instead we ought to fully recognize that we are fast approaching a repeat of the situation Hosea faced in his time nearly 2,700 years ago. Tragically, if we cannot learn from that history we may soon be reliving those days.

            Ignoring the problem seldom leads to a solution and often the problem grows exponentially worse. For example, those of us who live in dry parts of the country understand how quickly a wildfire can ravage the land. So if you saw a spark, would you ignore it thinking it might extinguish by itself? Absolutely not! You would do your best to stomp it out before it ever became a fire no matter who owned the land because you know the devastating consequences. We are clearly directed as Christians to lead a quiet, peaceful life—to get along with everyone—to mind our own business. So how do we achieve a balance between action and inaction?

            I think part of the answer can be found in the source of the problem. Lack of good moral character and judgement causes chaos and destruction. It doesn’t take any morals to start a riot, burn a building, or tear down a monument. Clearly these actions are wrong. Christians are called to be a people of high moral standards because of the life we have in Christ. We are called to proclaim this message of life in Christ to others. We do this in the way we live and speak—boldly, fearlessly, and without shame. We stand up for Christ because he laid down his life for us!

1 Peter 3:15-16 (NIV)

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Pray also for me that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel…Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.