The Plain Truth is so Happy That You Have Been Enjoying Bob’s Broadcasts.
2000 years ago, a newscaster that we know of as Jesus Christ warned us about false Christianity. The warning was not against the devil but against false Christianity…about people who come in His name and deceive many.
The Plain Truth has a category called A History Lesson. Well, here’s one for you.
Three Cappadocians from the region of Cappadocia, hence they’re Cappadocians, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, and Gregory of Nazianzus, all three were marked by two distinctions, their deep love for God and their deep desire to live lives of solitude.
Upon learning their stories, we found in The Plain Truth a very interesting quandary that these three found themselves in. These Cappadocians, enthusiastic about God and studying his word, felt solitude was the beginning of the purification of their soul. Each believed in engaging with pagan cultures was nothing but a distraction from their devotion to Christ, and so they all saw a more solitary life away from the hustle and bustle of the big city, per se.
However, these three figures now serve as examples of how dire circumstances often thrust us directly into the world that we’re trying to flee from in the first place, and that is despite their best efforts and good intentions, the Cappadocians were unsuccessful in their pursuit of solitude as they wished they could accomplish.
As Basil went on to lead several councils of controversies of the day, Gregory became the Bishop of Nysia, and the other Gregory became the Archbishop of Constantinople, Istanbul today.
Perhaps you didn’t sign up for a history lesson today, but I’m going to give one anyway because these testimonies are important.
I failed to mention there’s a third distinction that these Cappadocians had in common. In fact, all of them realized that the need for their engagement with the world around them far outweighed their desire for solitude. When they wished to retreat for the noble cause of studying God’s word without distraction, they were pulled into what was for them a chaotic public square.
Each saw the beauty of their quiet life but convinced by the necessity of the Christian influence in public affairs, each knew they had the ability to influence and promote the truth, the plain truth, by action. They knew this was their only reasonable path forward and I dare say their only biblical path forward as well.
What camp do you find yourself in? Do you choose to avoid the news because you would rather not be upset with the current affairs? Do you avoid talking about Jesus or politics because you’re scared to offend someone else or face disapproval, which is more likely today? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, you’re not alone.
Far too many Christians feel this way, that engaging in the public square is some or in this sinful world is something that they rather would try to avoid. I began with the story of the Cappadocians because I wanted to emphasize that even history proves how Christians would love to sit back and avoid the fire burning around them. I also use their story because ultimately their response mirrors how all Christians are called to respond. They just didn’t sit back, did they? They rose up to the occasion.
Scripture makes a clear case for why Christians need to engage with the culture around them, and it would take a great deal of mental gymnastics to avoid the truth. Yes, Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4.11 just that…“aspire to live quietly and mind your own affairs”. I’m aware that also in 2 Timothy 2:2 he addresses the need to do so as well, “lead a peaceful and quiet godly life and dignified in Christ in every way”.
However, these aren’t verses calling Christians to complacency. Rather, these are parts of Scripture calling Christians to a noble living.
There’s a difference.
To contradict those verses means to be arrogant, rude, disruptive, or disobedient to civil law. That’s not what we’re talking about here. This kind of living would inevitably lead to breaking all sorts of commands in the Scripture, such as loving thy neighbor, or walking with integrity, or bearing the fruits of the Spirit, and glorifying God in all that you do in public.
So, yes, you are to live a quiet life regarding the posture in which you are to engage with those around you, but no, you don’t live a quiet life when there’s evil all around you.
Remember what I always talk about in Ezekiel with the writer in the linen robe who was told to write down the people who cried aloud for the sins that they saw around them. We know we’re called to action because the Bible says so very clearly.
One of the most prominent examples of this Great Commission is found by Jesus himself in Matthew 28 when He says, go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all the things that I have commanded you. So, Christ didn’t want you to go into solitude somewhere. He wanted you to go to the whole world and teach His words.
1 John 3 18 states, quote, little children, let us not love in the word or talk about deed and truth. James talks about also not just being hearers of the word, but doers of the word by action. Of course, James also wrote to the Jewish Christian churches scattered throughout the ancient Mediterranean world that faith unaccompanied with works is dead because genuine faith is never a solitary faith.
The truth, the plain truth of the matter is that too many Christians may be thinking they’re living in the end times, that Christ is going to return at any moment. However, He cannot. They also may be thinking that they are going to be raptured when the tribulation comes. They are not going to be. They may also be thinking that they are commanded by God not to get involved in politics. There is no such command.
God expects us to live in this world and lead by example. In a manner that if people can see what we do and follow us and someday, hopefully, follow Christ as we do, this is what we’re supposed to do.
Part of living in this world is teaching people to make rightful decisions, and rightful decisions include going to the polls and voting for people, maybe not the best people always, but better than what they’re running against. Why? Because when you do not go out to vote, you are always voting for the eventual winner, if he’s good or bad, or if she’s good or bad.
Just think about that.
It’s a Plain Truth moment…
This is Bob Barney saying thank you for listening. We appreciate you, and we’ll be back here at noontime. Goodbye for now.