No, I’m not going to launch into a discourse about “whatever is pure, whatever is lovely…”- although that is a good topic. (remind me later...) I’m talking more about the phrase that kids (and adults) say from time to time which means “I don’t know, I don’t care, so leave me alone.” In other words…
What-ev-er.
Of course no one reading this has that kind of attitude, so when we say ‘whatever’, we of course mean, “That’s cool. I don’t mind. Anything goes. Great!”
It is so easy to get into a lazy position when it comes to Christian duty and the Sovereignty of God. Without getting too deep into all the twists and turns of this elaborate subject- which is yet another topic for another day, I’d like to direct your attention to this scenario. Please note that this example is based on real life, however, any resemblance to persons (living or dead) or events (past or present, wait, aren't all events are past) is purely coincidental.
Read on…
He knew that this country was headed toward financial ruin and the corruption of every good and familiar value system. There was this one bill going through congress that he knew opposed nearly all of God's laws for mankind- and he also knew that he should get involved in the fight for truth. God is in control, he reminded himself as he began to worry again about the ‘state of the union’. It didn’t really matter what happened in the country. Everything would happen exactly like God planned it. Please don’t let that bill pass, Lord, he prayed, I know it doesn’t really matter though, You do what you want, I’m not even going to think about it. Your will be done, Amen.
There’s nothing you can do, right? If God's going to do what He wants- and that will be the best in the broad picture of history...
Then, what does it matter?
What does it matter? God is in control. He is sovereign. His plans will happen. But that’s not the key issue. A lot of Christian's get this and are comfortable with it. But just because God is, well, God, it doesn’t mean that we don’t live in a real world on a real planet with real governments and really real problems. Believe me, they're real. God is in control. (Just can't seem to say that often enough... ) His job is overseeing every detail of all time and eternity. Our job is to do what He made us to do, and what He tells us to do.
A little more specifically for this particular topic, we need to fight for what is right. (Hey, that rhymed...) We gotta stand up and speak out. He gave us our instruction manual and now we gotta believe it and obey it.
If a law or an action or a book or a TV show is wrong according to the Bible, we have to fight against it, either actively or by avoiding it (with regards to sin and temptation and I'm not advocating starting a protest against every bad book or movie out there, for that we have to counter it with something good and pure and lovely... Again, another topic!) regardless of the consequences. Conversely, if something is right, we have to fight for it with all our might by His power.
If we're not careful, God is in control, could just end up being another cliche that really doesn't mean anything anymore. It could turn into another way to say Whatever. By the way, all the other mottoes like Do Hard Things, Don't Waste Your Life, etc, need to be handled with care so they don't become meaningless maxims.
In this way, the opposite of a 'whatever attitude' is a challenge. A challenge with a risk. But it's a risk for Christ, so it's worth it.
do the right thing though the world perish
2 comments:
Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. That is so tough to do, but it is also a command. Great post, it can be easy to be apathetic Christians, and that is exactly what we should not be.
Chip
P.S. You are a good writer.
Everything we should not do is so easy to do. It's a good thing we not only have Jesus' example to follow but He also promises to help us. I wish I'd remember that offer of strength more often- and sooner!
Jordan
P.S. Thanks.
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