It's not enough to just avoid doing wrong. It's not enough to know what sin is and not do it. It's not enough that I don't murder anyone, or lie or cheat or steal. Instead, the Bible tells us that we must be positive forces for good and right. When we see something wrong and don't work to fix it, then we are guilty of sin as well. In Nazi Germany, many people claimed that they were only following the orders of their superiors. They knew what was going on, they knew it was wrong, they knew the right thing to do was to take a stand for justice. But they didn't do it. Some might have even claimed that they feared for their lives and that is why they didn't stand up for what was right. But there is no excuse for inaction. When we see injustice, we have a responsibility to work to make it right. When we see people abused, either physically, systemically or emotionally, when we see them taken advantage of, we have been inculturated to turn our heads, to not get involved as a form of self-preservation. Don't make waves. But God isn't going to let us off the hook that easily. If we knew it was wrong, and the right thing to do was to stand up to evil and we did not; then we have sinned. I'd hate to have to face Jesus on judgement day and say; "Jesus, I don't know what you're upset with me for; I didn't do anything." Only to have Him reply; "Exactly!" 4:17 Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. |