Was
just about to catch up with my work at my computer when a cell group mate sent
a very thought provoking message to the cell’s whatsapp group regarding the
ongoing debate on the HPB FAQ. Interestingly, the verse of the day on the Bible
App is James 3:17-18 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,
impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of
righteousness.” This got me thinking about my own response to the issue so far.
Many
of us like to zoom in on the word “pure” in James 3:17 and see it as our moral
duty to speak out against what we see as an encroachment on our values and way
of life. I am no different. Quite sick of being dragged around by all sorts
extremist modern day crusaders’ almost militant pursuit of their own (sometimes
misguided) agenda, I was all ready to heed the clarion call for the silent
majority to rise up and be heard. The image I often like to have in my mind
during such moments would be that of Jesus overturning the tables of those who
had turned the temple into a den of robbers. Since Jesus does put his foot down
firmly in a rather extreme manner to correct something that is wrong, surely,
that’s a model for us to follow? His wisdom in doing so is certainly pure, just
like what James 3:17 described.
But
the rest of the verse in James 3:17-18 emphasizes on being peace-loving and
considerate. Now that got me thinking. Jesus’ response to those selling things
in the temple certainly does not look very peaceful to me. So how exactly
should I respond? Deeper study of the incidence of Jesus cleansing the temple
revealed two things. Firstly, those whom he drove out were Jews; they were
technically “believers” who were misbehaving. Secondly, he drove them out
because they were occupying the space meant for Gentiles and preventing them
from coming to worship God. At no time in Jesus’ ministry did he use such
violent means on non-believers to get them to subscribe to his teachings. He
was always “peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good
fruit, impartial and sincere” in engaging non-believers. It seems that such
strong, no holds barred admonishment are only reserved for believers, almost as
a form of discipline.
Being
peace-loving and considerate when engaging non-believers seems to be a
consistent theme in the bible. Daniel did not try to impose his beliefs on his
overseers or on the King. He simply let his life be the testimony and was
submissive even to the point of death, while sticking to his beliefs. Esther
did not take advantage of her position as the queen to launch an aggressive
lobby for her beliefs. Great men and women of God in history have done
likewise. In the face of grave injustices, Martin Luther King Jr. used reason
and embrace non-violence as the means to win people over to his cause. Mother
Teresa did even better. Instead of staging disruptive protests and engaging in
unproductive arguments, she just went straight to serve those who needed her
most.
So
what value do I add as an online warrior? Does my engagement sow in peace or
sow discord? Does what I do prevent people from coming to worship God, much
like the traders in the temple? What would Jesus be doing if He were here
during this national debate?
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