“All
that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”
(Edmund Burke). So
much of the history of the struggle between good and evil can be explained by
Edmund Burke's observation. Time and again those who profess to be good seem to
clearly outnumber those who are evil, yet those who are evil seem to prevail
far too often. Seldom is it the numbers that determine the outcome, but whether
those who claim to be good men are willing to stand up and fight for what they
know to be right. There are numerous examples of this sad and awful scenario
being played out over and over again in the scriptures.
When good men fail to do good, there is a vacuum that is left open for
evil to fill. The Lord commands his people to do good (Luke 6:35; Eph. 2:10).
Christ "gave himself for us that he might redeem us to be zealous in good
works" (Titus 2:14). In the parable
of the talents, Jesus described a man who did nothing. The Bible says that the
evil man “hid the Lord's money" (Matt. 25:18). When his Lord returned, the
evil man gave to the Lord just what he had been given (Matt. 25:25). Notice,
the man was called evil by Jesus simply because he refused to do any good with
the money. The man was evil because he did nothing with what was given him.
Jesus said he was a "wicked and slothful servant" (Matt. 25:26).
Jesus rebuked the church at Laodicea for doing nothing. "I know your
works, that you are neither cold or hot: I would that you were cold or hot. So
then because you are lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth" (Rev.
3:15-16). Too many “good people” are
doing way too little. They are standing idly by being mere spectators. They sit
on the sidelines instead of actively working for good.
When Jesus found a fig tree with "nothing thereon but leaves only;"
He cursed it (Matt. 21:19). What will happen to those who claim to be good and
yet do nothing? God knows that the church today desperately need Men and Women
who will roll up their sleeves and go to work for the good. Jesus even prayed;
"Lord send laborers in the field to help us work" (Luke 10:2).
If we who are believers in good sit back and do nothing, than evil will
continue to press forward until our girls become court prostitutes and our boys
become slaves to substance abuse. If we who promote the good of moral absolutes
say nothing while filth run ram shod over our schools, then our children will
fall back into moral, economic and spiritual slavery. As the Prophet so
challenged us centuries ago; “Blow the trumpet, sound the alarm, lift up your
voice” Joel 2:1. This is no time for good to be silent.
© 2013 Dr Tim McClure
Great study!!
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