Christ was not teaching passive behavior, he was teaching proper attitudes of the heart.

Christ was by no means passive, nor were his disciples. Should the apostle Paul have been more passive? What about peter? Paul exhibited these attitudes, but was he being passive when he preached until people passed out? Or when he riled the people so greatly that they stoned him, or nearly pulled him apart?

Why teach passivity? The last thing we need in the “church” in America is more dead pew warmers. Never has the church been as active as it was in the first century. I believe also, never has been as strong.

Just to pick one, Mike...I hunger and thirst for righteousness as much as anyone...
No surprise...I agree with Jude...the LAST thing we need is more passivity...

But as to the passive attitude...the Islamists and communists are hoping for just that attitude...makes it easier for them...

Ken, good observation wrt lamb vs lion. I would want to come across more lamb-like to my neighbors than lion-like.

BUT..... in response to J&S, and Debbie, and Megan, and Robin (whose comments I appreciate!)...

Although the Lord lauded these 8 apparently passive qualities (clearly they are passive & restrained in nature, in contrast to the opposite qualities listed), Jesus was by no means a "passive" person himself, or a "do-nothing" person, as we all know! Neither was Paul or Peter, or any other great leader of the faith. 

Heck, later in the same address, Jesus says "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Good needs involve action, not passivity! :-)

So no, I am not advocating "do-nothing" believers, or passivity 100% of the time. (J&S, I think I agree, it's less behavior than attitude, although attitudes impact behaviors, right? btw, good comment!) I also wouldn't advocate passivity in every situation. But I think that I would lean more in the direction of passivity, at least initially, until my Father instructs (or the Holy Spirit leads) otherwise. A couple of examples:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' (Retaliation is the natural human instinct! Aggressive, isn't it?)

But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (Whoa, that sounds rather PASSIVE, doesn't it? Is that still true for us today?)

And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. (Again, passive, when human nature cries out for assertiveness.)

Just a couple examples from scripture.It seems, at least sometimes, maybe more often than we'd like to admit, God calls us to be passive, when our nature begs for decisive action, or an aggressive response. :)

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When I think of passive, I think of what my grandma taught.

She always said, "Joey, you get more flies with honey" and "turn the other cheek".

I've lived by these words, and I would use the word passive to describe myself.  I don't get riled up very often, and when I do...  it is normally because someone has been treated badly.

I'm a strong christian woman but I CHOOSE to be passive, that is... I choose to be gentle rather than harsh.  I choose to encourage rather than to bicker. 

Every day, I make choices, and I hope that my choices are the ones that Jesus would approve of.

Joey, bless you, my somewhat passive friend! You know, the more time I spend w/the Lord in the word and in prayer, the less harsh, reactive, aggressive, hasty (etc.) I become. Instead I find myself more patient (passive), peaceful (passive), kind and gentle (comparatively passive), and self-controlled (restrained, sometimes passively so). I find tender Christians to be absolutely delightful!

Todd, excellent point! You said "I see His teaching more as an off set of the Pharisaical legalistic teaching and practices that were going on during that day." The commentary I've been reading also drew comparisons between Jesus' teaching and the Pharisees' teaching and practices. The most obvious statements alluding to the Pharisees, as I see it, are blessed are the pure in heart (Pharisees were more interested in outward righteousness), and blessed are the poor in spirit (the Pharisees were very proud and self-assured.) Thank you for your input, it is valued!

Thanks Liz! Have I stirred things up today, or am I being persecuted for righteousness' sake? lol

Megan, great scripture!! You were alluding to:

 31 but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.

When I treat people nicely, w/dignity and respect, even turning the other cheek, I do soar on wings like eagles! (Certainly not my own wings... I don't have any!)

Jennifer, thank you for your comment! At the moment I don't have time to fully respond, but I do have a question (an honest one). You said, "The only One I'm going to yield my will to is Jesus and His commands." Your allegiance is admirable! And, may I ask what you do with this: "as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything." (Eph 5:24)  Though the question may seem a little off track, the point of Jesus' teaching in the Beatitudes just might have something to do with how important "my will" is to me.

No disagreements there, Todd. Was just subjectively observing that those 2 were a bit more obvious to me than the others. 

Jeff/Lynn, I didn't see anyone getting angry about quoting scripture here?

Robin, this blog was honestly not geared toward any individual or group in particular on MyChurch. It was more or less a response to something someone once said to me, which has stayed in the back of my mind. Sorry if the tone bothered you, it was completely unintentional.

It's pretty sad when all you have to do all day is bicker over the word PASSIVE.

I don't think they are waffling.  I think they are having an open, honest discussion, taking into consideration what everyone has to say, and "showing proper respect to everyone."  :)

Hi Mule! Thanks for the star bro!

And thank you Maureen, I appreciate you!

CindyLou, glad you found it thought provoking. I guess if it was run of the mill and unoriginal, and if the thought didn't provoke me to some passion, I wouldn't have posted it!

Tanya, I don't know you (yet), but I'm sure I'll like you! =)

Joey, lemme give you a great big hug! You really sweeten the body of Christ!

Lara, AMEN!! You get it!!

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Okay, who does God like better here?  Huh?

Nahhh, just kidding. :) :) :) 

but everyone has a calling -- and there's a big difference between being passive and apathetic.     If we're all listening to the LORD, He will show us our part to play in all this....He will keep the Body of Christ in perfect balance if we are all willing to submit to Him. :)    

To the rowdy, to the quiet, to the fighters, and to the one who nurse 'em back to health -- you all are amazing, inspiring, and a delight to my heart.  And Mike, as the kids say, "Cool beans!"  -- you know how to make us THINK. 

Mike n Laura,

In this blog you brought up points regarding Jesus' pacivity.  While on the surface it appears to be that way, in reality it isnt.  You must consider the political climate Scripture was written. 

More than 400 years have passed since God spoke (Malachi).  Since Malachi spoke and Jesus appeared, the Jews were under the relentless oppression of Rome.  The Sanhedrin were the surrogate rulers who kept the population in line with the affairs of day to day living.  Pilate and the Roman Army were only there if the Sanhedrin lost control.  I speak about this a little more as well other things in my blog "On Your Feet or On Your Knees".  The Jews were highly agitated in this state of spiritual and political oppression.  If you really think that pacivity is "truly blessed"  as you put it, consider this:

In Matthew 21:12  Jesus overthrew the moneychangers.  Sounds like an act of retaliation to me.  Dont see any mercy there.

In Matthew 21:13  Jesus said "It is written, my house shall be called the house prayer. But you have made it a den of thieves".  This is Jesus taking a hardline stance.  So how concilitory is that?

When Jesus said,"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake" it is in the context of when the Word of God is proclaimed,  that the Word will bring division between the righteous and the unrighteous (Read Matthew 10:34-36 for proper context). 

Solomon said To everything there is a season.  In the 1st century it was a time of "pacivity" since if the Jews would raised up an insurrection then, they would have been squashed like a bug by the Roman army and Christianity would have been reduced to a footnote in religous history.  This is not the 1st century, this is the 21st century.  NOW is the time to act or risk losing our freedoms forever! 

Thank you Jeff-n-Lynn, I appreciate the clarification! Your comment is encouraging!

Robin, I'm not seeing the "waffling", unless you were expecting me to say passivity is the way to go 100% of the time. Jesus certainly wasn't a do-nothing guy, he traveled all over the place, teaching, healing, etc. Seems absurd to argue that Jesus was a passive man overall. But did he seem strikingly passive at key moments, yes! For example:

He didn't run or fight when the mob came to take him to his death, instead he allowed his betrayer to walk right up and kiss him (seems passive, not assertive). Of course he was deliberately passive, he knew what was up.

He prayed in the garden, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Surrendering his will was a passive (yet courageous) thing to do.

He offered abolutely no defense at his sham of a trial, even though the Roman governor was trying to release him - passive, not aggressive or assertive (right?).

Jesus taught the disciples to pray "thy will be done" ...passive submission as opposed to assertively claiming their "rights" as children of God (don't laugh, many say we should do this!).

This seems like a rather passive teaching: "If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic." (Luke 6:29)

Jesus also rebuked the disciples quite a few times for their overly aggressive intentions. e.g. James/John when they wanted to call down fire on the village that did not welcome Jesus, or when Peter forbade Jesus accept suffering, or when Peter cut off the servant's ear.

Jesus also taught, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." It seems passive to me to deny oneself. Often it FEELS like a passive thing to do. I want to seize control. I know the right thing to do or the right way to go. But instead I sit down and pray (a passive thing to do, compared to taking decisive action) asking the Lord to lead me (surrendering to his control feels passive to me).Yes I definitely grant you there is a time to GO and DO. But in my heart I feel that the resting place for the believer is a place of passivity, of submitting to and receiving from God.

I hope that addresses your concerns Robin. Not trying to pick a fight, just trying to share a thought that seemed to go somewhat against the grain.

Wow Mule, amazing! And thank you for writing that out. I can't imagine what must have been going through your mind!

Gerald (pastor), what you say makes sense in my head. But my heart reminds me Jesus said "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest..." I hear what you're saying about context, but why are Christians in the USA any different than Christians in China? The underground church in China is THRIVING, GROWING, while churches in the "free" West are declining rapidly! Our priority should be seeking God, not fighting political battles, IMHO. As we have fought to preserve freedoms for the last 20-30 yrs (or more), the exodus from the church has only been speeding up. Misplaced priorities, I believe. Yes, we can definitely find plenty of examples of Jesus taking action. But in the Beatitudes, I don't see much aggressiveness. THANK YOU for offering your respected opinion. I may be wrong, but this is what my heart tells me now. God bless!

GrammyB...THANK YOU!! Right-O! Everyone has a part.Glad you gave it some thought! (Even if you don't agree, to consider alone blesses me!)

As I read the Beatitudes, and Sanders' commentary, I wondered if those possessing these 8 mostly passive qualities could be the truly blessed (blissful), moreso or as opposed to their more assertive counterparts. If so, why? Well, if so, I believe it's b/c the qualities I listed opposite the Beatitudes (self-sufficient, carefree, aggressive, proud, vengeful, etc.) are very human in nature, you know, the sinful nature, ol' self himself! It takes a dose of the Holy Spirit to personify poor in spirit, contrition, meekness, etc. Is it just me, or do the fruits of the Spirit seem somewhat (dare I say) passive too? I dunno, just thinkin!

Mike, on that...we agree. 
The exodus from the church can be explained by the fact that most 85+% of Christians send their kids to public school...It's called brainwashing, indoctrination, etc..., but DON'T call it education!
How do we expect to "keep" our children Christian when they are in govt schools the majority of the time being told Evolution is fact...there is no God...

Over 75% of Christian children WON'T be so when they are finished with college...

This is NOT b/c the church has been political and (thusly inferred), a "turn-off."  The church in fact hasn't been political at all...it has been in a coma or at least "comfortably numb."  Only a minority of Christians have been in the political arena battling (and yes shame on you if it applies...smile!)...so IMHO, that assessment is WAY off...

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Which is more Christ like:

Standing on a corner, yelling at the women going into an abortion clinic that they are murdering an innocent child and are going to hell. To spend eternity in torment for sinning against God.

Or

Telling them quietly that the Creator of the heavens and the Earth came to earth and has forgiven them of all the things they ever did, or ever will do by dying on a cross. Seek Him and He will remove the things that separate them from the Lord.

******* I seem to remember a woman caught in the act of adultery, that Christ spoke to, and He told her that she was going to hell to burn for eternity because she had committed adultery.   *****NOT*****

It would seem to me that Christ was forgiving, not accusing the people of their sins.

So I would say He would be more passive than aggressive with the sheep. But when it came to the shepherds (religious leaders) He was aggressive.

Mike n Laura,

Let me respond to each point that you have made:

True Jesus did say,"My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest..."   However in Matthew 6:10 Jesus said, "Your kingdom come and your will be done on Earth, as it (already) is in Heaven.

Regarding why the Church in China is flourishing and the Church in America is not is simply a matter of choice.  The American Church chooses not to flourish but the Chinese Church has no choice but to flourish or stands the risk of being destroyed by its own goverment.  If you want to see what will happen to the American Church if we dont sand up and take our rightful place in government look no further than our brothers and sisters in China. 

Our Founding Fathers depended on God through the Revolutionary War (definately no pacivity there!) 

FDR lead the nation in prayer for 6 minutes before engaging in WWII. No pacivity there either. 

As for what your response was to Debbie ("...I do my civic duty! But it also isn't my highest calling")  I do understand and respect that.  Not everyone has the same passion as I do.  However, if our rights and freedoms were given to us by God, we are mandated to be good stewards with them.  That being said, not only should you pray for those in authority but you need to hold them to account when they pass laws that fly in the face of Scripture.  After all, God did not vote them in, you did.

Hope this helps,
Gerald

Gerald, thanks bro, good comment. Good stewards of the freedoms God gave us...excellent point! I still see a gentle acquiescence advocated in the Beatitudes, although this isn't to say action isn't advocated elsewhere in scripture at the proper time, or under the proper circumstances. (I'm not a passifist.) Ecclesiates (Solomon) says There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time for war and a time for peace.(Eccl 3:1,8)  I like what Gary and Mule had to say too!

Mule....that doesn't surprise me!!!

(and I don't really think it was the Subway sandwiches, lol)

 Gerald

you said After all, God did not vote them in, you did.

But scripture tells us the the Lord chooses our leaders.

Wow, quite a few comments I didn't answer...(I think). Sorry folks, long day!

Jude/Sarah, you said "Why teach passivity?" b/c Jesus did in the SOTM! (BUT...that isn't the ONLY thing he taught, either. See other comments concerning a time to be passive and a time to be active.)

You also said "The last thing we need in the 'church' in America is more dead pew warmers." AGREED! But this isn't Christian passivity to me, this is disinterest in true Christianity. I really don't know what the solution is, but I have a feeling affluence has a lot to do with the problem. (Ya know, easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle....)

And you said, "Never has the church been as active as it was in the first century. I believe also, never has been as strong." I suspect you are right. And maybe they were passive too! (in the right way, at the right time) Thanks for your comment.

Good call, Gary!

Thanks Ken!

Ken, remember when this happened, it was just before He was betrayed by Judas, at to the mount of Olives; remember He was also a prophet, because when the guard came to arrest Him,

Luk 22:50  And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

Then the Lord healed the guard's ear.

Luk 22:51  And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him. 

Then Christ said:

Gerald, acording to scripture, who placed Nebucanezer in power?

The Lord DOES choose who will lead nations,

Well, Gary, I know that Christ Jesus could have called more than twelve legions of Angels, yet, there was a reason He said there is a time to take up the sword.  The Apostles were not Jesus, obviously, and Jesus knew their subjection to original sin at times.  They (Apostles) may not have had the God-Man kind of faith that could call thousands of Angels, but, they could call upon their sword.  Not that they were going to 'live by the sword', but, maybe, just maybe, Jesus knew this was a time they would need a sharp sword.  This, I believe is why He told them to go get a Your swords. 

Gerald,  There have been many questionable election results in our short history.

We only have the illusion of being in control.

When you vote, your vote does NOT count.

The electoral college makes the decision. They are supposed to select according to the vote, but are not required to.

 in power?
 

 See here for more information on the Electorial Colledge.

We will just let this sit and simmer some in prayer Ken.

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 1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

 2And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

 3And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

 4But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth: with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

 5And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

 6The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

 7And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.

 8And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

 9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

On GOD's holy mountain all dwell together in peace. Different temperaments, different characteristics, different life experiences, but all have the same Lord. On this mountain (v.9) they neither hurt or destroy.

The Be Attitudes hold a very special place in my heart. As a young atheist responding to some stupid preacher's suggestion that I read the book of Matthew I did just that so I could show him wrong. Made it thru the first four chapters fine but when I began to read the words of Jesus in Matthew 5, somewhere in the Beatitudes, GOD came mightily. I knew He was real, I knew He was in my heart, I knew I was saved. I hungrily read the entire New Testament in less than a month.

Too often when we read something that is contrary to "logic" we have to explain it so that it makes sense. Because to actually do what scripture says sometimes can make us targets, really goes against what life has taught us, and honestly, we just don't want to.

Faith walks in when doubt walks out
Doubt is quiet but faith will shout

Faith will go where doubt will not
Doubt will never have what faith has got

Faith trusts GOD in the darkest night
Doubt has questions in the daylight

Faith already the Promise received
Doubt will continue being deceived

.....peace.....

Mike, passivity doesn't work in this world but it is the only thing that works in the spiritual realm. If I am not passive with my Lord I will never be passive in this world. If I am passive with my Lord the Beatitudes will reflect my character.

The Beatitudes is like the special forces in spiritual warfare. Those who hold them close to heart, esteem them as goals, live and breathe them, will encounter stiff resistance from the enemy. But they never fight alone.

.....peace.....

The Lord chose Nebuchadrezzar to be His sword.

Jer 43:10  And say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will send and take Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will set his throne upon these stones that I have hid; and he shall spread his royal pavilion over them.
 

Eze 26:7  For thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will bring upon Tyrus Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, a king of kings, from the north, with horses, and with chariots, and with horsemen, and companies, and much people.
Eze 26:8  He shall slay with the sword thy daughters in the field: and he shall make a fort against thee, and cast a mount against thee, and lift up the buckler against thee.

So just from the 2 scriptures here, it plainly says the Lord sent  Nebuchadrezzar, he was chosen of the Lord.

Sorry Mike n Laura, did not mean to get off subjest here.....

Sorry Ken, did not get the pan off of the fire quick enough, it started to boil...

I have it off now, will let it simmer some more...

Gary,

You said that your vote does not count becuase the President is elected via the Electoral College.  I have a couple of questions:

How was Wasington, Adams, and Jefferson elected?

Where is the Electoral College in the Congressional races, Governor's race. or Mayoral races?

You speak of Nebucanezer to prove your point that it is God that sets up kings.  Here are a couple more questions:

When was the last time we had a "king" in America?

Prior to Saul - which was NOT God's choice (read I Samuel 8:5-7), how was the government of Israel ran?  The  answer is by the Judges.  Scripture does not bear out that the Judges were picked by God. 

btw, Nebucanezer  became ruler of the Israel because of their disobedience.  Not because the Lord wanted to give them a king.

Hope this helps,
Gerald

LOL, good idea Gary!! :-)

Hi Gerald, thanks for hangin out w/us!

Thank you Leigh, amen...God IS in control! (and that ain't no copout...it's a comfort!)

Hmmm. I see something simmering. Well let's just let it simmer, that way it won't burn or boil over! haha

Gerald, that was an excellent response!

Hi Joey! Great point made by apureheart...to the world, the 8 "passive" traits in the Beatitudes appear to be weaknesses. Jesus certainly appeared weak as he stood in front of Pontius Pilate and the crowd, bloodied and silent. But WE know better, don't we? The Lion appeared as a Lamb. So even though we appear passive, and lamb-like (to others), we know that in fact we are in a position of strength!

What more passive position could we take than to get down on our knees and bow our heads down. But when we rest in this position of surrender, our human nature is defeated and the strength of God takes over!

My accountability partner said this morning that to be passive (before the Lord, and perhaps before people) is to TRUST God. The only way we prideful assertive humans could ever be passive is if we know that in so doing, the Lord will take over and work in us, with us, and through us, accomplishing HIS will.

What could be more passive than to give up (surrender) your WHOLE LIFE to the Lord Jesus? (I know...he then asserts himself through us!)

Just thinking, that's all! (Will ya join me?)

Jess, way up above, shared a definition of passive:

2. not resisting; yielding or submitting to the will of another.

Good definition!! Should we resist God's will or the control of the Holy Spirit? Shouldn't we yield every fiber of our being? As far as submitting (to the will of another), aren't we told to "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ"? (Eph 5:21) That act of submitting doesn't sound so aggressive to me.

But we are also told to "be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power" in order that we may "stand firm" (Eph 6). So passivity isn't weakness, although it may LOOK like weakness to the world!

Stevie, enjoyed reading your comment! I think that I just addressed your points here too. Jesus appeared weak, looked like the world was walking all over him, but God clearly had a purpose in mind. A situation of defeat led to the greatest victory in history, GOD'S victory. Nowadays, I believe we should not fear the appearance of weakness or defeat! After all Paul wrote

I'm not so concerned with looking powerful before the world.

Thanks Birdie!!  :-)

Amen, Gary!  God will give unto the people who they want, or, deserve.  He will even allow this good ole' USA to become islamic under the most viscious shariah law, if that is what we want.  Hello Ayatollah!  I really think, that, after all, we are agreeing, some way. The 'Boil' is what it takes sometimes.  Charge on Warrior of The Lord God of Hosts!......{Bro-ken}

     ***Thanx to Mike for keeping things going***Keeping us connected***
 

Think of all the people that will go 2 hell because of passive christians...

I think many of you are misunderstanding the term “passive” as compared to what is being expressed through this blog. Even the use of a dictionary only gives partial meaning. We must take into consideration the cultural, ethnic, and traditional perspectives on the meaning of this word. Some of us just assume the word passive is associated with a weakness, inability, or expression of forgoing one’s own conviction under pressure.

I do not believe this is what is meant here. Maybe more like this- passive, as in, letting go of our natural desire to control other people, situations, and circumstances around us. I believe the Sermon on the Mount gives us some practical rules to address one’s own innate desire to be in charge of one’s life and situation.  The ability to let go of this fleshly, or innate desire is a mark of true humility and strength. Yes- passivity can be strength.  In fact, you may even be considered stronger than the more assertive brother, if God is calling you to stop resisting, let go, relax in His love, and trust His working out of the plan for your life.

 Passivity could also be considered “trust” in God’s sovereignty over our life, calling, and circumstances.

Was Jesus “passive” when He was lead to the cross as a lamb to the slaughter? Was he “passive” when they were spitting on him and whipping him? Was he “assertive/aggressive” when he felt the weakness and desperation as he stumbled under the weight of the cross?

I’m sure He had some assertive words that He may have wanted to say. But He knew that true strength was to follow God’s plan, even though it looked terribly and unabashedly passive. In fact, all the authorities of that time were convinced in the correctness of their actions because He, apparently, didn’t have what it takes to avoid death on a cross.

I think we should take the understanding of passive to a deeper level and see it reflected against our human nature that wants to aggressively defend our rights, our ambitions, and our desire to control everything around us.

As Christians, we do not have to look outwardly strong. Nor do we have to worry about how we are perceived as to our measurement of strength. In some ways, I would rather “appear” weak to the world, than to allow my own unredeemed nature to have a foothold that leads to pride.

kAreN

 Think of all the people that will go 2 hell because of aggressive (rude) christians...

telling those they witness too, to do things they themselves cannot or will not do.

Sounds like what Christ said to the Pharisees

Dear Jennifer, active restraint...I like that! lol .. If you don't call that being passive, then maybe I do have the wrong word!

kArEn... this is my understanding of why ppl go to hell.

Without excuse. That means no one in hell can blame anyone else, least of all passive Christians, for their predicament. 

Another way to look at it. Passive Christians haven't done anything to drive ppl away from the Lord either! Think of all the ppl that will go to hell b/c rude, hypocritical, obnoxious, and argumentative Christians caused them to reject church in disgust, and thus reject Christ and the free forgiveness he offers. But then they can't blame Christians either for their eternal predicament either! Each person is individually accountable to God, responsible for their own rejection of his Son.

Passive Christians....not wrong, just different. And blessed. :-)

Gary....thinking alike... :-)

Bruce, there are many ways to say what you just said. I think you managed the very best. Thanks brother!!

lol ... excellent verses Mule. I think you might be onto something!

You suggest that some folks might not really be reading responses? Or pausing to consider what the blog's author and many others might actually be trying to say? You could be right! Reminds me of this great former post:

I Can't Stop Talking Long Enough to Hear You

Juanita (higherground), love your thoughts on the blog...THANKS!

Jeff/Lynn - agreed!! The Beatitudes in our kids, that would be lovely!

Yup.  It's love that beckons us to think, and to reach out beyond ourselves.  To see the human being.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Just to be clear I define a christian as one who loves GOD and desires to live for Him. Yes, many claim the name but not the life. Their passiveness is like all the other Jewish children in Daniel 1 who did not resist the best the world had to offer them at that time. When I say passive christian I mean someone who has quit fighting GOD's will for their life, who is broken and contrite, who is thankful for the gift of salvation and lives out that thankfulness daily.

These people will not impress and often are unnoticed. They simply live out their lives touching others with the same love they have been touched by. They will be criticized for what they don't do as they live in the center of GOD's will. Like a bush that is ignited by the presence of GOD they burn in this wilderness we call life.

This bush is quite passive. It doesn't complain about its location. How ineffective it is. How it should be a tree so others would notice it. No, it simply burns in the place and form GOD put it and made it. Occasionally, a burn out turns aside curious as the bush that burns is not consumed. The bush is silent but GOD speaks. A life is changed. And the bush continues to burn unnoticed.

Blessed are the passive for their passion shall never diminish.

.....peace.....

"Blessed are the passive for their passion shall never diminish."

Passive and passionate...amen Gordon(apureheart), I see no contradiction there. I gain much from reading your comments, thank you!

Glad you popped in Teral!

Marcia(ihsallthetime)- Thank YOU too! God IS love, and as Stevie said, "Love is an action word"! I tried to clarify, by passive I didn't mean inactive. I think a good way to hone in on what I meant by passive is to view the contrasts in the blog itself. 

Joey, I sure do appreciate you popping in and nudging us all God-ward. Your comments are like wildflowers, beautifying the landscape w/o indictment. Thanks for sharing, I feel you know my heart well!!

Juanita, there is a time for action! But even in your actions, I saw humility and a genuine concern not only for Aaron but for the nurse whom you spoke to. That is a rare ability you have, that she was able to appreciate you even as you confronted her about her inappropriate treatment of Aaron. As Paul wrote, "Let your gentleness be evident to all."

Hi Sherlock!!  =]

Mule, I love your comments. They add MUCH to a blog! And IDK, maybe I still wonder.... :-)

Gene....you are dead on! Glad you "got it", and truly BLESSED that you took the time to stop by and let me know that you did!! (smiling)

The primary problem with the church in America is spiritual. The church is spiritually dead. However, the only way for the church to be restored, is for God's people to follow him and obey his commandments. This means repenting of wickedness and also being good stewards of what God has given us.
God has given us a nation in which we are free to vote/get involved to further His kingdom!

Paul was a Roman Citizen, but he was not politically active, even though as a Citizen he could have been. From what I read of his writings, he even said NOT to be involved...????

In religion and politics people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing.
-Mark Twain

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
-Mother Teresa

"The church is spiritually dead."

I beg to differ with this. A correct statement would be, there are many people in the Church (in America) who are spiritually dead. But wherever the Church exists, God is still at work.

Some people, in their eagerness to condemn wickedness, mistakenly judge the righteous as well. This is most unfortunate.