Recently, I saw a phrase by C.S Lewis: “Omnipotent moral busybodies.” That sounds a lot like some of the religious people in Jesus Christ’s day. And still today, there are plenty of omnipotent moral busybodies.
”Of all tyrannies a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies…” – C.S. Lewis
The other extreme today in Christianity are Christians who are silent, except in church. Outside of the meeting, they dare not speak anything praising God or promoting Jesus to avoid any criticism and to avoid offending anyone.
If we Christians are worried about being criticized, we picked the wrong group! Jesus told his followers, “If the world hates you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” Criticism is the least of our troubles.
At this very moment there are brothers and sisters around the world severely persecuted, and many are being murdered. It has been going on since Christianity began and will continue until the lord returns. We can certainly be mindful of their plights and pray for them on a regular basis.
Speak Up Or Not?
So where’s the balance between not being afraid to speak up, and, being a self righteous, finger pointing omnipotent moral busybody religious nut? Some say, “speak the Truth whenever, wherever, and to whoever, without any fear.” And some take that a step further and tell us we need to speak out and confront evil whenever we see it; use your blessed fingers to point out those dirty sins of others.
Jesus invited those without sin to “cast the first stone.” He also talked about taking the beam out of your own eye before trying to help your neighbor with the mote (some piece of straw) in his eye. The Apostle Paul said, “If you bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of another.”
Today, many Christians are biting and devouring others; relentlessly pointing out sins. Jesus did not say we would be known as his disciples by our sharp criticism, by our pompous pointing out of other people’s sins, or even by our bold speaking of the Truth. He said, “by this shall all men know you are my disciples; if you have love one to another.”
Love
First and foremost, we need to love each other. It might mean putting up with someone else’s stinky garbage, but really, who has no garbage? It may mean having to watch a fellow Christian ignore the truth and choose the wrong path. It may mean you’ve been personally hurt by someone else, but it always means being ready to forgive, regardless.
I remember someone once saying, “The love of God is looking past someone’s junk…like God does with all of us.” I can speak the truth to someone without being judgmental or condemning.
The balance is simply to speak the truth in love. And make no mistake, speaking the truth to someone is indeed love. But it is speaking the right truth, at the right time, in the right way. That takes guidance from above.
The Apostle Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes.”
In the last post I said, “I choose to love everyone to the best of my ability, but I will not compromise what I believe is true. And, I will not remain silent out of fear, but rather, I will speak up when I believe it is right to do so.”
Until Christ returns, I choose to follow the Apostle Paul’s example: fight the good fight, finish my course, and keep the faith! Who’s with me?
Mike Verdicchio
2015
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