Civil Rights

We're all about civil rights these days. We want our rights. We need our rights. We demand our rights. We even manufacture our rights. Like the guy who thought it was his right that women should give him sex because he wanted it. Really? A right? But, no worries. We're good at it. A large number of women these days believe it is their right to have sex at will without consequences and if there is a baby from it that will inconvenience them, they're free to have it killed. And those are just two quick examples. We go on and on. Oh, yeah, we're good at manufacturing rights.

I'm not talking about those kind of rights here. I'm talking about what is right. Nor am I talking to random individuals; I'm talking to Christians. I am suggesting that it is right for you to be civil. (See what I did there?)

Paul wrote to believers that we should "Outdo one another in showing honor" (Rom 12:10), "Live in harmony with one another" (Rom 12:16), "welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God." (Rom 15:7). That seems like it should be obvious (John 13:35). But he also wrote, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." (Rom 12:18). I read that to mean that we should work hard at getting along with people -- all people. I note that this comes from the same guy who wrote, "I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder" (Rom 15:15), took an Apostle to task for his theology (Gal 2:11-14), and even handed a Christian over to Satan "for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." (1 Cor 5:1-5). Paul was not shy. He wasn't reserved. He didn't back away from serious questions of theology or sin. This man urged us, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Scripture does not call us to be wishy-washy. Jesus didn't call us to be "non-judgmental" (e.g., Matt 7:5-6; Matt 23:2-36; John 8:44; John 10:26). Our marching orders are not to be "soft on sin." We are commanded to love God's called. We are told to welcome fellow believers of all kinds. We are commanded to love -- love our neighbors in general and fellow believers in particular. We are commanded to seek to keep the peace. That is, for us, civility even among the uncivil is right. Of all the angry voices on the Internet or within earshot, ours should not be heard like that. Rather, remember, A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Prov 15:1). Being civil is right for us.