It’s okay to be upset. It’s not sinning to feel your blood pressure rise and to get fed up with sin when you see it. As we grow in Christ and develop a heart more like his, we should notice injustice and want to do something about it. But what do we do? I wish there was an easy answer, but if there is, I haven’t learned it yet.
Some would say, “Just pray.” But others ridicule that as being too passive. Some would say, “Stand up and fight for justice.” But others point out that that is much easier for God to do than those of us with limited vision. And there are other options—many of them—that try to walk a line between naïve passivity and counterproductive vigilantism. That doesn’t mean those other alternatives are all equally good or effective. So, again, what do we do when we see unrighteousness around us?
In Acts 17:16-34, we find an example that may move us toward an answer. I’m not saying that the example in this text is the only thing we are called to do as people living out the passion of Jesus. I am, however, saying that we cannot live like Christ if our actions detract from the gospel or distract people from truly hearing about God and his plans for all humanity.
I’m taking on the risky task today of preaching about some concepts that I continue to wrestle with myself, so pray that God will give us the wisdom to know and the desire to apply his will in our lives.
— Patrick Barber