Willing to speak and willing to shut up

Numbers 1; Psalm 35; Ecclesiastes 11; Titus 3

There are many sayings for a certain principle. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” “You cannot get a goal if you don’t take a shot.” “Better to aim for the stars and hit the woodpile than aim for the woodpile and hit your foot.” And this one from Solomon:

He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4)

I once had an art teacher who said that if he let the weather determine whether he should go out to paint, soon he would never go out. He realized that making excuses was a form of procrastination, even a disobedience to his giftedness. After a time it didn’t matter if it was -40 degrees with a wind or sunny and mild with a breeze — he went out anyway. He refused to always find something wrong with the weather.

Christians have a similar problem or at least I do when it comes to sharing my faith. “The words didn’t come to me.” “That person doesn’t seem interested.” “I’m afraid she will reject me.” The list goes on. But as the saying goes, I cannot expect others come to faith in Christ if they are not given opportunity to hear about Him and what He has done.

When Paul wrote to Titus, he told him to “Declare these things” referring to the gospel about Jesus Christ, and to “exhort and rebuke with all authority.” He added, “Let no one disregard you.” Then he goes on to outline what this pastor was supposed to say and what not to say:

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. (Titus 3:1–11)

I’m not a pastor, but this passage wipes out all those excuses that I’ve made. It tells me what to say, who to say it to, how to say it, and what not to say and who to avoid!

Remind them to obey authorities. Romans 13 describes how this applies to governing bodies even those that we don’t like. These days, this means follow the guidelines for Covid-19. We may not like them or agree, but they are for our protection. God may not rescue those who resist His commands!

Obey them myself, not putting others down or fighting with them. Be polite and gentle, remembering all my own struggles and resistance to God. I’ve been there, but He showed mercy. Share my own story including both ‘before and after’ yet backing up my words with the way I live.

I’m not to get into disputes or discussions that stir up division and warn those who do this. It is not like God to argue! If speaking to others about Jesus is going to bring me into an argument, it is wise to keep my mouth shut.

APPLY: Some days are very quiet in this self-isolation mode. Other days, I call people or the phone rings off the hook and people want to talk. I need to say whatever the Lord prompts me to say — with truth and in love. As the Word of God says, I cannot expect any kind of life and growth unless I am willing to plant seeds and water them, and practice what I preach.

What about God and politics?

Last night, two weeks before our national election, party leaders were in a televised debate. As they put forth their ideas and challenged the ideas of the others, I could not help but think of them in biblical terms.

First of all, I know that God is in charge of who gets voted in. He has His reasons, many times unknown to us.

He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. (Daniel 2:21)

That said, what about this debate? Did anyone ‘win’ it? I don’t think so. Their various platforms and ideologies have both merit and terrible flaws. Instead of trying to figure that out, I wondered about the people themselves. Are they wise? Do they have understanding and are willing to seek wisdom? Are they willing to put aside their priorities for something better suited to the needs in our country?

Today’s passage asks the vital questions and puts out a criterion for political leaders as well as for me when I cast my vote and when I do anything else for that matter.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13–18)

One leader showed a hint of meekness. All of them showed ambition and boasted. At least one was ‘false to the truth’ and all of them were disorderly. Gentleness and open to reason were rare if even present. And while they all seemed sincere, no one passed the impartial test.

Most people say that politics and religion should not be mixed. Some might quote Jesus, who when questioned by the Jews about paying taxes to Rome, said:

“Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (Matthew 22:19–21)

However, Christians have a political responsibility. I am to pray for our leaders, not gripe about them (see 1 Timothy 2) and I am supposed to respect and obey them:

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. (Romans 13:1)

God puts them in place and while I might disagree with their way of doing things, I’m to trust God because His plan is His plan and He knows what He is doing.

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Lord Jesus, You are in charge. The Old Testament has years of Your people enduring bad leadership. The world seems full of corrupt leaders, all with ambitions for power and wealth. All of what is going on reminds me of the folly of trusting any person to righteously govern a sin-sick world. We need You, the only One who knows what to do with all our squabbling and selfishness, and with all the issues and problems we have created for ourselves. I long for You to return and rule. In the meantime, help me to trust You with whatever happens in our country and with the elections. You will keep Your promises and eventually make sense of all of it, even the nonsense of these political debates.

Today’s thankful list . . .

The Lord is sovereign, not the people with political clout.

God makes His wisdom available for those who ask for it.

An easy day, cold outside but warm in our home.

The smell of fresh baked bread.

Thanksgiving turkeys on sale.

Pumpkin and gingerbread.

Quilt projects nearly finished.

What about those speed limit signs?

The New Testament story took place in the Roman empire, in what the Bible calls “the fullness of time.” Rome was significant to the story for several reasons. Perhaps the most important one was the emphasis on law and order backed by a superior military force. Without this, the days of peace during the reign of Caesar Augustus would have been unlikely — meaning that Mary and Joseph may have not experienced safety during the most important event in history.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:1–7)

To Bethlehem from Nazareth was about 90 miles. Considering she was pregnant, this was a slow go, perhaps taking days. Did they do it because Rome said so? Were they afraid of the military who enforced Roman decrees? Or did they know that the child promised them by the angel would be born in Bethlehem as prophesied in the OT so they went because this was the will of God?

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. (Micah 5:2)

These thoughts remind me of driving in school and playground zones. Our city has those without fences posted to slow down, from early morning to late evening, to 30 km or about 18 mph — mighty slow. When it is cold on a Sunday evening and there are no children in sight, I’m strongly tempted to drive a little faster. Sometimes I do. However, I’m nagged by another Scripture passage . . .

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. (Romans 13:1–5)

I could slow down because a child might dart out from nowhere and suddenly be in my path. I could slow down because I fear getting caught in photo radar. I could slow down because it would be a good time to use my cell phone (also against the law), but none of these reasons fit with the will of God. Joseph and Mary remind me that my motivation for obedience to the laws of this place are important. I’m not necessarily fulfilling prophecy (except that the Bible says God’s people will be obedient to Him) yet I am pleasing God. Who knows what He does through the submission of His people?

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Lord Jesus, when I travel our local streets or city freeways or highways, keep reminding that You used Joseph and Mary’s obedience to law as part of Your plan of redemption. My obedience certainly does not seem that important, but what do I know? It could be. Besides, it pleases You and is a reflection of Your character and grace. Keep reminding me to pay attention to those speed limit signs.