“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” Romans 16:17-18 NIV
I have a confession to make: I’m a bit of a nerd. For those who don’t know me I am fascinated with history and why people do the things they do. I will research anything on the drop of a dime (thank you input for being my number one Gallup Strength!), and I love learning new facts. It’s probably no surprise that the Anne Frank house was a must-see while in Amsterdam.
I remember reading her book in middle school along with Elie Wiesel’s Night. It was hard for me to truly understand how so much fear and hatred could be instilled in the hearts and minds of others so much so that some take violent action, while others remain silent. Both outcomes leading to the mass extermination of an entire people group under the reign of Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Germany. Then I contemplated what’s going on in the world now and thought maybe it’s not that far-fetched.
The Bible makes it very clear that “whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.” (Proverbs 14:31 NIV) Consider your circle, your leaders, those whom you admire and look up to. If their actions are contrary to honoring those in need or “contrary to the teaching you [we] have learned [from Christ]” (Romans 16:17), they probably are not leaders that reflect Christ’s values.
Paul warns us to keep away from such people. Avoidance is insufficient for a follower of Christ. The book of Provers which is known to be filled with wise advice, reminds us that staying away simply is not enough. We are to “speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.” (Proverbs 31:9 ESV) The German Lutheran Pastor Martin Niemöller penned it perfectly:
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Our comfort is of no consequence to Jesus. Empathy requires action because talk is cheap. To serve Him and defend the oppressed requires action.
Reflection
Which oppressed cause that is not my own can I take action? What is stopping me from speaking out and advocating for the needs of others? How can I honor Christ by taking a stand?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for the ability to observe injustice. Forgive me for not taking action. Grant me the courage to be bold in the face of hatred and fear by paving the way for love. Help me find my voice and speak up unapologetically for the oppressed bringing honor to You. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash
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