Speaking Out and Taking a Stand

I’ve been in a conversation with a friend about taking stands against what we believe to be wrong and being personally responsible to state what it is we stand for, perhaps even aggressively. I should probably be more specific. The issue at hand is whether it’s important to state your own beliefs when opposing someone else’s and to make that stand aggressively.

The conversation stemmed from the whole mosque in New York/Quran burning in Florida issue. My friend, who is very passionate about what he believes and eager to encourage others to be as passionate as he is (a very noble trait and one that I love about him), seems to find fault in others who might not be as aggressive as he is when it comes to expressing themselves. I may be misunderstanding him and I hope he’ll speak up to correct me.

There are people with the gift of speaking publically and people who are gifted with eloquent debate skills. There are also people who are not so gifted; their gifts being in other just as important areas. However, the latter not-so-gifted people do have opinions and beliefs and just may choose to express them in other ways.

I chose to make a stand on my facebook page about the pastor who wanted to burn the Quran. I believe that in the way I posted, I also expressed my own beliefs, without hollering about it. I didn’t need to be aggressive about it, I don’t think I need to be aggressive about most things (except for other drivers on the road…don’t ask…I’ll talk about my road rage another day).

And while I’m not a biblical scholar, I don’t believe that Jesus commanded us to be aggressive about anything. He commanded us to go out and preach the gospel. (Mark 16.15) He also told us to wipe the dirt off our feet and walk away when we were met with opposition. (matt. 10.14, Mark 6.11, & Lk 9.5) Pretty clear cut to me; Go out, spread the word, if they ignore you, move on.

I also have read the bible, know how it all ends and believe that the events unfolding around us are not a big surprise. Knowing this doesn’t mean I sit here in my comfortable little office and never speak up about these events and that I never participate in organized events that speak loudly to my beliefs. But I believe my God is bigger than all these things and that He doesn’t really need my help to set things right. I can rest in knowing this. I don’t feel burdened to go out and fix the world or to burden others with that responsibility.

Since the moment I was born again, the Lord has been saying “love” to me. As I’ve walked this path I am on, my understanding of what “love” means has morphed and grown and shifted and settled. I’m sure it will continue to do so until I am perfected and in the arms of my savior.

We all have our gifts and those gifts are different than our neighbors. There’s a reason for that. It is because we are all part of one big body, each with a purpose; one complimenting another. All of them working in unison to accomplish God’s ultimate purpose.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 12.2-5

Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12. 17-21

(but please read the whole chapter in context to have a complete understanding…thanks!)


Blessings!