For quite some time now, I have had passivity on my mind. It would greatly bother me when I would recognize it in myself or in others.
I found myself asking, "is it it really so bad to be passive as a Christian?"
YES.
If we are walking with Jesus, then an ACTIVE faith is required. Passivity is the state of inactivity. Obviously, we cannot have both. (Like, how?!)
I've come to the conclusion that calling yourself a Christian and being passive is just another example we can give of an oxymoron.
Being passive is accepting what happens without a response and without any resistance. Nowhere in the Word of God does it state that we should live this way.
On the contrary.....
"Be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour. Resist him, firm in the faith, knowing that the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by your fellow believers throughout the world". --1 Peter 5:8-9
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength".
- Deuteronomy 6:5
"So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it." -- James 4:17
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit".- Galatians 5:25
"Go ahead—be lazy and passive. But you’ll go hungry if you live that way." Proverbs 19:15
Our passivity is robbing us and anyone in our life of what is priceless and precious. It is selfish to hold back.
We cannot fear responsibility as Christians, and we cannot run away from fighting the good fight.
Not only does being passive hurt others, it cripples us. Sin could be holding us back, or just fear of the unknown. Christ wants us free from both!
A Christian needs to be active in faith, in prayer, loving, be teachable, and be empowered by the Spirit of God. We already know we must be doers of The Word, and not just hearers. There is just too much at stake. To make godly choices in life we cannot fear the unknown. We must be brave to step forward in faith. God has so much more in store for us. This is why we have the Holy Spirit. He is our guide. He guides, and we must move ahead! Once we understand His greater calling on our life, we will want to do something about it. Let Him activate you! There is also a spiritual battle at hand! Souls to be won! The gospel must be shared with our neighbors and coworkers!
I always remind myself: If I stay passive, who else will do this? There are certain people that only I can minister to. They are within my reach, and I might be the only person who they trust enough to listen to. There are so many people all around me, but the reality is that there are still so many hearts that need to be won over for Jesus.
If I've been set free, then I need to help others get free and stay free! I hold the key, and that key is Jesus!
If you recognize passivity in yourself, allow Christ to break that stronghold in your life! Laziness, fear, depression, heart break - all of it! Let His truth cover you and transform you mind and heart. He can heal any hardened heart.
You do not have to live in passivity. You can be proactive, assertive, responsible, and fearless! In Jesus' name!
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