Christian Complacency

*Note: this was written with the men of this generation on my heart

I strongly believe that the Bible calls us to be peaceful. We know that it is often appropriate to “turn the other cheek”. I highly doubt that beating someone up because they called you a name is a loving act. Nor do I think that arguing for the sake of being right displays the gospel at all. Some of Christianity’s darkest moments have been when people have not understood this. The crusades, the KKK, and the Conquistadors are but a few examples of the tragedies that have occurred when “Christians” have forgotten the most important aspect of the gospel… LOVE. I think it is right for us to be able to endure much for Christ’s sake. We should be daily willing to pick up our cross that the world might know our savior.

This being said, I think that too often nowadays, Christians live in complete complacency. Most evil things are but a twisted form of truth and goodness. This includes violence. This means that violence in itself is not evil—simply the way the world presents violence is. But over and over and over the Bible calls to violently stand up. Stand up for the widows, for the orphans, for the poor, for the hurting, for displaced, for those on the sidelines, for those in need. For the defenseless and shamed. For the gospel. It is for these things and these people that we are called to be violent for. And maybe ‘violent’ is not the best word. In Matthew 11:12 when Christ says “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force” the word for violence here is not how we normally think of violence. The root of the word in Greek is bios meaning literally “strength of life”. Christ isn’t calling for a crusade, but for a people who in their utmost strength of life, in complete and godly passion, would live without fear and timidity and would boldly pursue Christ and the advancement of His good news.

Realize that there is such thing as a righteous anger. Men, do you not know that you are called to be a warrior? Do you not know that focused passion and a warrior’s heart, with the audacity to act, is one of the most attractive things to a woman? So be angry in righteousness. Do not explode because your roommate has once again left dirty dishes in the sink. But be angry that there are people who daily go without food! Do not become flustered because someone has said something to offend you, but instead, use your voice to cry out for those that have none! When you can’t afford something you want, do not be upset, but rather, be upset that thousands live daily without even a pair of shoes! When you feel tired and are on edge, do your best to love and get angry not. But be furious that for years and years the people of Uganda have been forced to sacrifice sleep as every night they run from the terrors of Joseph Kony! Stand up against injustice! Be bold for the name of Christ! Protect your sisters! These are the things that please God. As it says in Isaiah 1:12-17 “When you appear before me, who has required of you this trampling of my courts? Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me… Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them… learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” We may not bring burnt offerings and incense to the Lord anymore, but we do live lives that repeatedly go through the motions, thinking only of ourselves. If we want to satisfy that hunger in our spirits that so desires to be a warrior, we must stop going through the motions.

Salvation is by grace alone. It can never ever be earned. We must never think that we are ever worthy or that we must do something in order to obtain it. But once we have received this beautiful gift of salvation, which is the realization of the glory of God, how can we draw closer to God’s heart? How can we be warriors for Christ, zealous men of righteousness? It is simple. As Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?”