We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Going Against the Flow

Is it ever wrong to just “go with the flow” and fail to act?  Do we sometimes have a moral obligation to take action, even if it means swimming against the prevailing current?
Yes. Otherwise, we may be guilty of what is known as “culpable passivity,” because in certain circumstances the failure to act is inexcusably wrong, both legally and morally.  In legal matters, culpable passivity mostly involves wronging the rights of others.  But for Christians, in matters involving the character and revelation of God, culpable passivity can involve directly wronging the rights of God Himself.
Biblical apologetics is all about swimming upstream, challenging the status quo that routinely denigrates God and His Word.  Unbiblical teachings about God’s relationship to His creation are both aggressive and ubiquitous.  Christians around the world who resolutely honor the Word of God are frequently put on trial for their unwavering faith.  How their courage shames those who would prefer to simply “go with the flow” and listen to the voices of “experts” who boisterously brag of their “science” (falsely so-called) as they refuse to honor God as Creator.
James J.S. Johnson, J.D., Th.D., Culpable Passivity: The Failure of Going with the Flow.  Acts & Facts 40/7, p.8

4 comments:

ali said...

The follower of Jesus Christ must go against the flow or else we are no better than the world, yea we are far worse for we are called by The Name - Christ-ians.

To be Christ-like is our obligagtion as children of the Sovereign LORD - but sadly there far too many who neither walk the narrow road or dare go against the flow.

Stand strong watchman, stand strong. Our voices must be heard!

Anonymous said...

Amen, brother! But understand this. The farther out in the current, the stronger it works against you. Further, those who choose to swim against the flow, but in less current, will be against your choice to tackle the stronger counter-currents, as they justify their wisdom, and count yours as foolish. I know from experience this is true...

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Oh yes, Anonymous, I have experienced that many times!

ali said...

If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ John 15

We should expect no less.