This post is about fear.
There is a difference between knowing what is right and doing what is right.
The Bible has something to say about this.
Consider the following:
Do we have a responsibility to do what is right? And if so, what are the parameters of that duty?
When do we act? How do we act? Avoid the thing? Speak out against the thing? Warn others?
Consider this excerpt from Albert Barnes’ commentary:
It is universally true that if a man knows what is right, and does not do it, he is guilty of sin. If he understands what his duty is; if he has the means of doing good to others; if by his name, his influence, his wealth, he can promote a good cause; if he can, consistently with other duties, relieve the distressed, the poor, the prisoner, the oppressed; if he can send the gospel to other lands, or can wipe away the tear of the mourner; if he has talents by which he can lift a voice that shall be heard in favor of temperance, chastity, liberty, and religion, he is under obligations to do it: and if by indolence, or avarice, or selfishness, or the dread of the loss of popularity, he does not do it, he is guilty of sin before God.
What if you know what is right but fail to do it because you are scared?
As Christians, we are not given a spirit of fear for He who is within us is greater than He who is in the world.
And yet fear conquers us more often than we’d like to admit.
I am not judging you because I have often shirked a duty or fallen short of my obligations because I was afraid.
When I was a younger man I hated fear. I hated weakness. I even grew to dislike weak men.
But as time passed I realized that it was not fear I hated, but rather myself and my reaction to fear.
Because when I was afraid I failed to act. When I fail to act, the things that ought to have been done were not done. The things that should have said were not said.
The people I should have helped….
Sigh.
We live in a time of fear now. Fear of being “canceled.” Fear of being called bigots.
We live in a time where even our own “brethren” will say these things to us because we’re not “woke” or “tolerant.” (Ironically, I’ve seen that these types of people are the most intolerant of all.)
Being called these things has serious consequences for ourselves and our families. We can get doxxed, we can get written up at our jobs (or fired), or get publicly shamed on social media (which may have other consequences).
Fear works. That’s why it’s used against us.
It’s times like this that Christians need to band together and support each other rather than cause division in their own ranks.
I would urge you (and myself) to not hesitate to do what is right but to also exercise prudence as Scriptures command us to do. Even the Apostles were told to pick their battles: if they knocked on a door and no one wanted to let them in, then move on and try another door.
Also, be thankful we still have the freedom to do what OUGHT to be done rather than being cowed by the tyranny of the wicked.
You still have a voice.
And rejoice in your longsuffering because one day, the Lord will return and set things right.
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