When Good Men Do Nothing

by Wayne Greeson


“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 to 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 do nothing, they get nothing good done. To be good, one must do good. The Lord commands His people to do good (Lk. 6:35; Eph. 2:10). Christ "gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from I all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Tit. 2:14).

They Get Nothing Good Done

In the parable of the talents, Jesus described a man who did nothing. When he received his Lord's money, he "went and digged in the earth, and hid his Lord's money" (Mt. 25:18). When his Lord returned, he returned to the Lord just what he had been given (Mt. 25:25). Notice, the servant did not do any outright evil, such as stealing the money, but then neither did he do anything good. He did nothing and he got nothing good accomplished. His Lord condemned him as a "wicked and slothful servant" (Mt. 25:26)

Jesus rebuked the church at Laodicea for doing nothing. "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:15 17).

Too many Christians and too many churches are do nothing. They are standing idly by, they are mere spectators. They sit on the sidelines in stead of actively participating and working for the good. If good wins, they join in the celebration though they did nothing to produce the victory. If evil wins, they will complain long and loud though their own apathy helped produce the undesirable result.

When Jesus found a fig tree with "nothing thereon, but leaves only" he cursed the tree and "presently the fig tree withered away" (Mt. 21:19). What will he do with those, who claim to be good and yet who do nothing? John the Baptist warned, "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire" (Mt. 3:10; Jn. 15:2).

They Help Evil To Triumph

When good men do nothing, evil triumphs. Evil, sin and sinful men must be opposed. God commands those who are good, not just to avoid evil but actively oppose it.

Christians are to not only to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but (also) . . . reprove them" (Eph. 5:11). Those who do nothing about sin and evil, help the sin and evil to prevail. One who is silent when there are those around him in sin becomes a partaker with them (Eph. 5:7).

In the days of Elijah, the silence of many had allowed the evil of Ahab and Jezebel to prevail throughout the land of Israel. "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word" (1 Kgs 18:21). The silence of the people spoke volumes of their indecisiveness and inaction. Their failure to stand up, speak up and speak out and permitted evil men to run rampant.

Jesus told of a traveler who was robbed and beaten left him half dead. The men who did this were wicked and did a very wicked thing. But the Levite and priest allowed this evil to continue unanswered by doing nothing but they each "passed by on the other side" (Lk. 10:31‑32). Fortunately for the traveler there was one man who was willing to stand up for what was right (Lk. 10:33‑36).

Jesus warned "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad" (Mt. 12:30). In the fight against evil there is no middle ground, no gray area, no neutrality Those who are not actively and vigorously working and fighting against evil are helping evil to triumph.

They Are No Longer Good

When good men do nothing, they are no longer good. Many have the mistaken notion that good is merely the absence of doing that which is wrong. Not so! One is good not merely because he does no evil, but because he is actively working for what is good. "Let him eschew evil, and do good" (1 Pet. 3:11). James explained, "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin" (Jas. 4:17).

The eldest of Israel, Reuben, knew his brothers' murderous plot against their younger brother Joseph was wrong. He started an attempt to deliver Joseph, but as he hesitated and vacillated, the other brothers sold Joseph into slavery. When Reuben heard what they had done, he realized his failure to act had helped to bring about this evil result.

Instead of correcting his error, Reuben sought to cover his guilt by agreeing with his brothers to lie to their father about Joseph's disappearance (Gen. 37:18‑35). Reuben had "good intentions" and he was not even present when Joseph was sold into slavery, but he knew his inaction and absence made him just as guilty as the rest of his wicked brothers. This guilt continued to haunt him through the years (Gen. 42:21‑22).

The prophet Obadiah severely condemned the Edomites for do nothing when evil was befalling their brethren, the Jews. When Jerusalem was invaded by her enemies, the Edomites "stood on the other side" doing nothing but watching the slaughter as spectators. God said by their failure to act and to help "even thou west as one of them" (Obad. 11).

Today, there are preachers and Christians who fail and refuse to meet the real foe, refute error and fight the enemy. Instead, they have turned to viciously savaging their own brethren. They are filled with bitterness and hatred and they maliciously attack, slander and misrepresent other Christians and gospel preachers.

Paul warned about such men and behavior among those professing to be Christians, "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another" (Gal. 5:15). Those who engage in such behavior are spiritual cannibals.

While the conduct of these so‑called Christians is shameful, what about those supposedly "good" men who do nothing? Those stand on the other side and do nothing but watch as their brothers are being slandered, slaughtered and devoured, they cease being innocent bystanders and idle spectators. Their failure to act not only allows evil to triumph, but makes them just as guilty as the spiritual cannibals they refuse to reprove and rebuke. In God's words, "even thou west as one of them" (Obad. 11).

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (Gal. 6:7). Those who fail or refuse to do good in the face of evil are sowing some dangerous seeds. They are do nothing good as Jesus commanded them to do; they are helping evil to triumph and they have ceased being good themselves and they have become partakers of the evil they did nothing to stop.

Do not allow evil to triumph. Do not do nothing. Stand up and be counted, speak up against evil and speak out against evil men and their sinful deeds.

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When to End a Bible Study

by Larry Rouse
www.cvillechurch.com


Several years ago I brought a brother with me to meet a man who was convinced that all churches were “filled with hypocrites” and because of that he no longer attended anywhere. In my optimism I thought than an open Bible would, in time, convince this man to change his attitudes and practices. After three hours of patiently struggling with a man who displayed open dishonesty, irrational anger and had plainly stated that he would never change his mind, my brother pulled me aside and made a comment that I never forgot. “Larry, my abilities and efforts are not highly valuable, but they are more valuable than to be used like this! Brother, it is time to go home.”

It was not until I carefully studied how my Lord Jesus Christ worked with people did I come to understand what I could and what I could not do in my teaching of His word. What was the goal of Jesus when He taught men? Surely He wanted to convert everyone He taught since He came to “seek and save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). But as I looked into His ministry I found that a large majority rejected His teachings (John 6:66). Rather than viewing Jesus’ ministry as a failure, I needed to learn what the primary purpose of Jesus’ teachings really was. When I learned that truth, I discovered how successful Jesus was and, as a result, I was then able to properly gauge and evaluate my efforts in teaching.

To Expose Hearts

When Mary brought Jesus to the Temple a few weeks after His birth, a prophet, Simeon, foretold what the primary work of Jesus’ ministry would be. “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against …that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. (Luke 2:34-35)” This is precisely what Jesus accomplished as He taught others in His ministry. More than just trying to have someone agree on a point of doctrine, Jesus looked to open the hearts of those that engaged Him in discussion. Once opened, a man could see his own heart and then make an important choice. This one could then either be grieved at what he saw and thus would allow Jesus, as the Great Physician, to operate on his heart bringing the needed change or he could reject Him by slamming the door of his heart in the face of our Lord.

Some Cases in Point

From this perspective let us look anew at some well-known exchanges in the ministry of Jesus. The rich young ruler appeared to be the perfect prospect to become a disciple of the Lord. He seemed to agree on the “essential” doctrinal components, claiming to have kept God’s written word (Mark 10:17-20). Jesus not only heard the words of this man, He also heard his thoughts. He wanted this man to see them too. “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:21-22). Jesus opened this man’s heart and then this man chose to walk away. Jesus accomplished what he wanted to in this exchange!

Look at how Jesus turned the discussion from the place of worship to the condition of the heart of the woman at the well (John 4:1-26). Seeing her own heart she came to know that Jesus was the Messiah and, in turn, she left her water pot and quickly spread that news to others (John 4:28-30). She rejoiced at the work of the Great Physician and, in turn, sought as many as possible to have their hearts opened by Him too.

Whether it was a question, a direct comment, or a simple parable, Jesus confronted his opponents time and again with the contents of their own hearts! The parable of the Good Samaritan helped a very reluctant lawyer admit who his neighbor was, and in that, he came to see the racial prejudice that dominated his heart (Luke 10:28-37).

We Must Learn to Open Hearts

While we cannot instantly see the contents of the hearts of others as Jesus did (Luke 5:22), we can, however, through wisdom, learn how to open hearts. Why do people believe and act as they do? Even Pilate, through his experience, looked beyond the empty lies of the Jewish Rulers to know that they were motivated by envy when they attacked the Lord (Mark 15:10). From personal observation and insight you may come, over time, to know the motivations of the ones you teach.

Several years ago I learned that the best approach in studying with “Jehovah’s Witnesses” was to challenge their personal loyalty to their headquarters, the Watchtower Society. At the beginning of the study they claimed that the Bible alone was the guide of their beliefs, but by the end of our studies I was able to show to them that this was not the case. When their hearts were opened to this truth, one man cried like a baby while another man, while screaming, threw me out of his house. In both of these studies, hearts were opened and decisions made. I believe that the Lord was pleased with both results (2 Cor 2:14-17).

When to End a Bible Study

A lesson that took me years to learn was when to end a Bible study. In the earlier example of the man that was dishonest and plainly proclaimed that he would not change, I should have accepted that he, in fact, had exposed his heart to me. His resounding answer was “No, I will not follow the Lord.” Indeed, it was time for me to move on.

The Heart of the Matter

The Pharisees would never accept any proof that Jesus was the Son of God. Any approach to them at that level would bring endless disagreements and arguments. Jesus knew why this was so, for these men in their hearts had put relationships and position above everything else. Jesus said: “But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you … How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God? (John 5:42-44)”

I have known of men and women who destroyed their marriages through their own immorality or had become bitter with another only to then make a jump into denominationalism, liberalism or even agnosticism. They then tried to put a spotlight on the inconsistencies of brethren and would tenaciously hold on to arguments that are easily answered. Why can’t they see through these empty beliefs? It is because these beliefs are a cover or mask for the real reason for their newfound stand.

Speak to the Heart

Look again at your approach to teaching and make sure your focus is the heart and not just the head. Peter, having made effective and essential arguments, turned his message to the heart. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do? (Acts 2:36-37)”
May the Lord bless you in this dangerous but rewarding work in the opening of men’s hearts.

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Two Views of Time – God’s and Man’s

by Larry Rouse
www.cvillechurch.com

A wise man is aware of how short life truly is. “So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Ps 90:12). As we come to see the great uncertainty that the future holds from the standpoint of man’s wisdom and insight, we ought to take great comfort in knowing that we serve a God who holds the future in His hands. Men change, nations rise and fall, my own body grows old and will die, but our God never changes! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb 13:8).

The Difference 100 Years Makes

We tend to judge history by own current standards and experiences. Consider the difficulty we would have in understanding the generation that lived just over 100 years ago. Consider these facts from another writer: “Here are the U. S. statistics for 1904. The average life expectancy in the US was 47. Only 14% of the homes in the US had a bathtub. Only 8% of the homes had a telephone. There were only 8,000 cars in the US and only 144 miles of paved roads. The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph. Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more heavily populated than California. The average wage in the US was $0.22/hour. More than 95% of all births in the US took place at home. 90% of all US physicians had no college education. Most women only washed their hair once a month and used borax or egg. The American flag had 45 stars. The population of Las Vegas, Nevada was 30. Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school. There were only about 230 reported murders in the entire US.” Now imagine what will the next 100 years bring!

The Struggle of Daniel’s Generation

The great Old Testament prophet Daniel had a struggle to comprehend the world that he lived in. He was taken from his home in Israel when he was around 17 and lived the rest of his life in foreign lands. After he was brought to Babylon his name was changed from Daniel (God is my judge) to Belteshazar (a servant of Bel, the principle Babylonian deity) (Dan 1:7). He was taught a different language and lived in a completely pagan culture. Early in his stay there the news came to his ears of the destruction of Jerusalem including the temple of God built by Solomon.
Now imagine living nearly 70 years in the capital of the most powerful empire in the world. If Daniel had relied upon his considerable, but limited human wisdom, he would have likely concluded that the nation of Israel was crushed and would never return. He also would have likely concluded that the Babylonian empire would last for hundreds of years into the future. Fortunately for Daniel and for the few remaining Jews that walked by faith, they were not swayed by the “wisdom” that “all things continue as they were” (2 Peter 3:4). Those faithful Jews, as a result, never trusted in the “status-quo” of Babylonian rule.

Daniel was in his early 80’s when the events of Daniel 5 came to pass. He was aware of the prophecy of Jeremiah that the captivity would only last 70 years (Jer 25:11-14). Daniel’s life was defined by his relationship to God and not by “success” determined by worldly standards. At any point during Daniel’s lifetime those who “walked by sight” would have laughed at the “insignificant few” associated with his stand of faith. His stand brought ridicule and death threats. Some of those threats were put into action. In all of this God was, in fact, using Daniel as the first building block of a remnant that would return to rebuild Israel and usher in the Messiah. Would you have been found standing with Daniel if you had lived then?

The Struggle of Our Generation

Prosperity can be more damaging to a living faith than adversity! When Israel was told about the promised land and the great physical blessings that God would give them, He also included a warning of the likely reaction of the people to their prosperity. “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt….17then you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth” (Deut 8:11-17).
Look again at how far we have moved in our physical prosperity within the church. Sociologists have noted that religious movements that “move up the ladder” of wealth and education often cast off their past beliefs to be more compatible with their new social relationships and status. The scriptures bear witness to this tendency to allow prosperity and education to choke a Biblical faith. “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (James 2:5)” “For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called” (1 Corinthians 1:26).

God is in Control

Daniel was able to witness in his lifetime what Isaiah and the other prophets had plainly stated about the kingdoms of men. “Behold, the nations are as a drop in a bucket, and are counted as the small dust on the scales; Look, He lifts up the isles as a very little thing…. 17 All nations before Him are as nothing, and they are counted by Him less than nothing and worthless” (Isaiah 40:15-17). In one night the hand of God wrote the epitaph of the Babylonian empire on the wall during a drunken party of their ruler Belshazzar (Daniel 5:5-9). Even though Belshazzar offers Daniel the position of third ruler in the kingdom, a gold chain and clothing of purple, Daniel appropriately responded “Let your gifts be for yourself, and give your rewards to another” (Daniel 5:17). Before the night was finished Belshazzar was dead, the “impregnable fortress” of Babylon was captured and destroyed never to rise again, and Daniel was alive and well and faithful to God.

The Need of Our Generation

We desperately need to build a people that looks to God as their foundation. Rather than trying to lament over numbers, reunite a human movement called “the restoration movement”, or make our worship man-centered so more people can be found in our assemblies, we need to learn again how to draw close to our God. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:8-10).

What will last in this life? “But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31and those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away” (1 Cor 7:29-31). The handwriting is already on the wall for this world as the Lord is returning and all physical things will be “burned up” (2 Peter 3:9-10). Where do you stand?

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Speaking the Truth in Love

By Mark Larson

www.cvillechurch.com

“But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ” (Eph. 4:15, NASB). What does it mean to speak the truth in love? Is it just a matter of speaking in a loving manner in which our voice sounds “loving” to the human ear? Some have simplified it to mean that whenever we speak the truth then we are in effect showing love. Others have explained it to mean that whenever we speak in a loving way then we in effect stand for the truth. There are differences of opinion to be sure, yet what does the Bible say how we shall “speak the truth in love”?

What Is the Truth?

The context of Ephesians 4:15 reveals that “the truth” is “the one faith” (Eph. 4:4-5) or “the faith” (Eph. 4:13). “The faith” stands for the Gospel (Phil. 1:27), the Gospel stands for the truth (Eph. 1:13), and the truth stands for the word of God (John 17:17). Therefore, to “speak the truth” is to speak that which is true or correct, namely the word of God, instead of false doctrine (Eph. 4:14) or that which is contrary to God’s word. Our speech should always be truthful and honest (Eph. 4:25; Col. 3:9), yet “speaking the truth” in Ephesians 4:15 has to do with our speaking the word of God.

What Is Love?

Love in Accordance to Truth: To speak the truth in love, we ought to know what love is. The love we practice should be in agreement to the truth we speak. “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment” (Phil. 1:9). The love we are to abound in is not mere excitement or sentimental emotion. We are to love according to “real knowledge” of the will of God. We love intelligently using proper judgment or “all discernment.”

Seeking the Highest Good for Others: The word “love” (Eph. 4:15; Phil. 1:9) comes from the Greek word agape. Agape is love that seeks the highest good for others, only doing what is good and best for each person. Thus, love is about helping others, not harming them (Rom. 13:9b-10). Love involves serving others (Gal. 5:13) and making personal sacrifices for them (John 15:13). Certainly, to speak “the truth” to our neighbors is to love them, for the truth or the Gospel has the power for salvation for everyone who believes! (Rom. 1:16).

Not a Worldly Kind of Love: Let us not confuse love with the concept the world has of love. The world tends to think of love merely as a “warm-fuzzy” feeling or affectionate gesture. The world teaches that when you are made to feel good, then you are being loved. Yet, from a biblical standpoint, that isn’t always the case! “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy” (Prov. 27:6). To be made to feel good, to be comforted, or to receive affection by another isn’t always being loved. “Kisses” or feel good sayings may be comforting and pleasurable for the moment, but may in fact be deceitful. An enemy will tell you what you want to hear and not what you need to hear (the truth). False teachers, no matter how sincere they may be, are in effect “enemies” who hand out “kisses” when you need to be “wounded” instead. They aim to entertain and “tickle your ears” instead of preach the whole truth (2 Tim. 4:2-5). In contrast, a true friend is willing to “wound” you by speaking the truth: Wound your pride, admonish you, correct you, even reprove or rebuke you if necessary in order to help you grow spiritually and overcome your sin. That is true love! It is not always easy to speak the truth, yet if we truly love our neighbor as ourselves, we will not condone their sin, but instead teach them the truth so that they might be saved: “[Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6).

How Do We Speak the Truth in Love?

Speak the Truth from the Motive of Love: “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Cor. 16:14). Speaking the truth is no exception! Just because a person speaks the truth does not mean that his or her motive is good and right. For instance, Paul did not rejoice over the envy and strife of certain preachers, but only in the fact that they preached the truth or “Christ” (Phil. 1:12-18).

Our motives for what we do are very important to God. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mat. 5:8; e.g., Mat. 6:1-6). Speaking the truth should not be done out of pride, bitter jealousy, or selfish ambition (James 3:13-14). The truth should not be spoken from unfeeling, unloving harsh critics and judges who merely enjoy making people feel bad. Instead, we speak the truth because we truly love the people we are speaking to and care about the salvation of their souls, much like the apostle Paul and his love for the brethren at Corinth: “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears; not that you should be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you” (2 Cor. 2:4). Speaking the truth from the motive of love is absolutely essential to pleasing the Lord (1 Cor. 13:1-3).

Speaking the Truth Appropriately: “Speaking the truth in love” requires speaking His word in the proper manner. Namely, our speech should “always be with grace” (Col. 4:6). To speak with grace is to speak graciously meaning with kindness, courtesy, and compassion. The way we speak ought to reflect the fact that we are Christians! (Col. 3:12-14). Truth spoken with grace can be effective in persuading and teaching others the will of God. “The wise in heart will be called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness” (Prov. 16:21; cf. 16:24). Love is not only about what we say (the truth), but how we say it!

Speech “with grace” also means to give grace to those who hear us speak (Col. 4:6). This means that what we say should benefit them spiritually. When we speak the truth, we should strive to meet the spiritual needs of each particular person (Eph. 4:29). To accomplish this, timeliness or tact should also be used. Wise discretion and consideration of others is important in determining when the most appropriate time to speak the truth is. “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances” (Prov. 25:11).

As God’s children, let us commit ourselves to accomplishing His will by “speaking the truth in love” as He commands (Eph. 4:15).

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