All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing (Edmund Burke)
It appears of late there have been a number of revelations regarding the misdeeds of Jimmy Saville that have left people shocked and stunned that such acts could go on with nothing being done about it until a year after he died.
Already investigative reports and features have had people who were colleagues of his stating what they knew and how they were afraid to come forward due to the repercussions. As the allegations come forward and engages the police in case after case, fingers are pointed at individuals and institutions for allowing such things to carry on. The accusation is that they have been complicit to the crime and while the dead cannot be prosecuted, efforts are being made for some of those who live to be held accountable for their behaviour and negligence.
This finger pointing and outcry is understandable considering the circumstances. Again it’s easy to suggest that this is a problem for others and that fear of speaking out for negative repercussions is a cowardly way to deal with things. Yet before the finger pointing continues, there is one place the finger needs to start with the pointing.
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (James 4:17)
Burke’s quote at the top is interesting, for if good people know there is good to be done and don’t do it, on what measure can they be considered good?
Another question closer to home strikes me. How many times have I known the right thing to do and didn’t do it. how many times, whether it was fear or pride, or perhaps both did I avoid doing the right thing? How much internal damage did I cause because of it? What hurt did I allow to be caused to others because of it?
People may want to console themselves with the issue of scale. I didn’t allow something as scandalous as the Saville saga to take place, so I’m alright. As I have mentioned recently, however, there is no room to compare ourselves to the standards of others. What James talks about is a personal issue that has to be considered on a straight relationship between God and myself. The truth remains that I would still be found guilty of the sin of omission and that avoidance, evasion and neglect is as repugnant and stench-filled to God as the deliberate, destructive acts of others.
There is hope.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
That scripture is not discriminatory.
It does not apply only to people who have done things on a small scale or committed a ‘little’ sin. This is available to anyone who chooses to acknowledge the sin, and acknowledge the power of the blood of Jesus Christ and acknowledge the need to be cleansed.
That hope for reconciliation and redemption, in whatever hurt and pain has been caused, is something Jesus offers to us today and we must extend to others who may have been complicit to letting relationships fail, families divide, churches split, communities get spoilt and entire countries to slide down into disarray. Only in the light of the shining light of Christ that forgives, cleanses and restores can we believe such for ourselves and those who can be invited into that light.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
dmcd
Life With CD 