We are nearing the end of this season of questions with just a few weeks to go. This week’s question comes from an LJUMC member who asks about our responsibility in standing up to bullies and bigots. I was reminded of our Baptismal vows to “renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world” and to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”
As a spiritual community of faithful Christians, we might see this as our duty. We may also acknowledge that it is difficult to stand up to wrongdoing, sometimes facing unintended and/or undesired consequences when we do so. I suggest that we should consider our intended result in standing up in this way.
Matthew 18:15-20 (CEB)
15 “If your brother or sister sins against you, go and correct them when you are alone together. If they listen to you, then you’ve won over your brother or sister. 16 But if they won’t listen, take with you one or two others so that every word may be established by the mouth of two or three witnesses. 17 But if they still won’t pay attention, report it to the church. If they won’t pay attention even to the church, treat them as you would a Gentile and tax collector. 18 I assure you that whatever you fasten on earth will be fastened in heaven. And whatever you loosen on earth will be loosened in heaven. 19 Again I assure you that if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, then my Father who is in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them.”
Consider these questions:
- Have you ever found yourself offering “correction” to someone in this way? What was the circumstance? Was there any fallout? What’s your sense of it as you look back on it now?
- What does it mean to “renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world” and to “resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves” ? Does this seem like something you feel able to do?