When I was growing up, I assumed, based on youth conference speakers and popular Christian songs that Christians are supposed to “live out loud.” In other words, they’re supposed to make sure everyone knows that they’re a Christian. The hope is that this will influence others enough to receive Christ, so that all can “have what we have.”
When I began to dig in to Scripture in my early 20s, I realized that, although Christians are to use opportunities afforded them to share the gospel (ie, Acts 5, 1 Peter 3:15), just as important is that Christians are marked by their humility and relative quietness. Jesus made very clear that the ones to whom His Kingdom belongs are those who are “poor in spirit” (Matt. 5:3). In other words, the kingdom belongs to those who are not the life of the party. And Paul has two passages that seem to always stick out in my mind when I think about this:
-“We urge you brothers … to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands … so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one” (1 Thes. 4:10-12).
-We are to pray and be thankful for all people, “That we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
Surely someone might respond that the call to quietness merely met a cultural need of the time in each passage. But why would Paul say it to the whole church at Thessalonica and to the young pastor Timothy in charge of the church in Ephesus? More likely, Paul outlines what are to be the markers of the people of God: Living honestly, quietly, humbly, ready to share gospel hope, but not hammering people out of turn.
Why?
We live quietly because, to borrow from our Lord’s words to Pilate, we are citizens of a Kingdom that is “not of this world” (cf. Jn. 18:36). In other words, the world in its present form is not our home, and we are waiting for a new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells (2 Pet. 3:13). In fact, the Lord involves us in the process of transforming the fallen creation into a redeemed one, as we live our lives following Him and reflecting His goodness to the world around us. But make no mistake: Our minds are not set on earthly things, but are set toward the risen Jesus who will return and make all things new. Until he returns, we wait on Him (see Phil. 3:20-21).
If you’ve ever spent time living in a foreign country (I have not, but I have many friends living in my country who are from another one), you know how out of place things feel. Of course, you want to assimilate and be a part of society. But it’s very difficult to ever feel “at home.” This illustrates the Christian’s experience: They live in the fallen world but know they are made for a new creation where all things are set right. And they long for it, looking for their Lord to return to make it so. Until then, they wait patiently. Because this isn’t their home, they don’t have to win every argument or every election, and they don’t need to be in power; they know who rules the world, and they live their lives humbly following him, waiting on (and praying for) both His will in this world, and His return to start the next one.
Theology
In other words, Christians are to be humble and quiet because theology has gripped them. Christian doctrine is no longer a field of study which is fun to think about on Sundays. Rather, it is reality; and all else is meant to be understood in light of it. I watch basketball highlights all the time on a Youtube channel called “BallisLife.” For the Christian, theology is life, and should be more and more so as the years go by.
It is doubtful if this is the common experience across the American church, whether talking about evangelicals or Catholics. To be clear, I know no one’s heart or motives. But it seems to be the case that theology is just an aspect of most believers’ lives. But in Scripture, it is doctrine which saves us (1 Tim. 4:16), because we not only learn it but we wear it. We’re told to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Tit. 2:10). In other words, what you believe shapes what you do and how you act. For example, if you think of God only as a judge watching for others to fail, you’ll do the same thing: You’ll judge all the time and quietly rejoice when others fail. On the other hand, if you think of Him as a loving Father who is longsuffering and patient toward people, working to serve them and do them good, you’ll do the same. Doctrine is more than just teaching – it is life.
For the eighth grade Christian school Bible class I teach, like many teachers throughout the country, I’ve recently had to put my content online for the students. It is a long and cumbersome process. But because I’m fairly familiar with Google accounts, how it works with Youtube and Google Classroom, etc., I was able to figure it out rather quickly without having to write anything down. And when I go back in this afternoon to upload another video, I won’t be confused about it; I’ll remember how it works when I see it in front of me.
That is in no way a testament to my superior intelligence (as anyone who knows me knows). Rather, my handle on Google is just natural based on all of my time online over the years. In other words, it has become intuitive. My point is that this is how Christians are supposed to be with doctrine: The language of Scripture becomes the language of their lives. Though Christians fight in their flesh against following God’s will (and we all do; Paul did, Rom. 7, and said we will, see Gal. 5:16ff.), they are gripped by what they know of God the Father and His Son.
Practically
I’ve been driving somewhere with this, and here we are: Being gripped by theology means we don’t participate in calling conspiracy what the world calls conspiracy, nor fear what the world fears (as in Is. 8:12). We don’t use every opportunity afforded us (read: having a social media account) to share our opinion. Rather, we are slow to speak (Jms. 1:19) because we know that “a babbling fool will come to ruin” (Prov. 10:8). We are thankful for and submissive to authorities knowing that God has placed them over us (Rom. 13:1-7), and yet if we were to be given opportunity before rulers to bear witness of the true King and His righteousness, we would, like John the Baptist (Mk. 6:18), Paul (Ac. 22-23), Daniel (Dan. 2), etc. Regardless, we pray for these leaders, even if we don’t agree with or like them (cf. 1 Tim. 2:1-2). Remember, when Paul said to be submissive to rulers (Rom. 13), Nero, the murderer of Christians, was Emperor. Paul apparently understood that there is no contradiction between the emperor being placed by God and the emperor being subject to God in the end for how he/she ruled while in power. Meanwhile, we live submissively and humbly – thankful even. Because we know the true King.
Perhaps a couple of more directly practical points will suffice for now: First, don’t judge people throughout all this COVID-19 craziness. Some are panicking, while others are not. Some are buying up supplies while others are not. You can say whether or not something is wrong, like buying up all of the toilet paper (all empty where we live!). But don’t assume things about people. Everyone has to figure out what is best for themselves and their family, weighing that up against what will help others. I’m convinced, generally speaking, that people are trying to make this work the best they can. And if supplies dry up, they’ll be restocked. We’re going to be all right. Jesus very plainly and very directly said this: Don’t judge (Mt. 7:1). You struggle to be honest about your own heart (Ps. 19:12, Prov. 21:2); what makes you think you can clearly see someone else’s?
Second, and finally, turn the news off for a little while. Maybe that means the actual TV news, or maybe it means Facebook, Twitter, or whatever you use. I don’t think social media is evil – in fact I use it. But I’m convinced that in a day and age where we’re losing our ability to think, social media is being used by the devil to keep people confused and scared about what might be “coming.” Too many recent conversations with people I love has impressed this proposition on me. On the contrary, if you’re gripped by theology, you can hear these things and discern Biblically what is true, what is not, and what is none of your business. Ask the Lord to help you – he will.
