Silence the talk of foolish men by doing good

There is the tendency to return good for good, and evil for evil. It is quite natural by human reasoning, particularly when it concerns ungodly bad government of corrupt insensitive leaders, as we are currently experiencing in our country. God is telling us today to drop our negative attitudinal tendencies and submit to the authority of the Lord Almighty. We know so well that to some people, paying taxes and bills when they do not get corresponding services can be difficult. Just read through 1Timothy 2:1-3 and try to understand what is written therein. We are to pray for all men, particularly for our leaders and all those in authority, that they may be led to do the right things, so we can live peaceably in all godliness and holiness. At the time the Epistle according to 1 Peter 2:13-17 was written, I would say the Christians were passing through persecutions and denials. Yet, Peter exhorted that they submit to authority and pray for them. As Christians, we know that authority is from God Almighty. In all we do in life, especially in our service to God and man, we are expected to silence the talk of foolish men by doing good. We are to make a difference in the society we find ourselves. Though, everyone cannot be the same and also, everyone cannot be bad and that is why we must endeavor to do good no matter what. Our lives depend on doing good because it is one of the attributes of our Lord Jesus Christ and every where He went, He was doing good because He is good and kind. He is always full of compassion because of His tender mercy’s sake and greatest good of the world which He has with Him. That is why I will admonish you therefore to always ensure to be good and silence all foolish talk of men because it is the best thing to be done. Just imagine the greater good and perfection it will be when you embrace doing good at all time. Don’t forget that doing bad does not pay but when you always do good, you will always be glad that you are doing good because it pays to do good and God will always be there to supply all your needs. God will always grant to you that which your heart pants for. God Almighty has established three institutions: the home (Genesis 2:18-25), the government (Genesis 9:1-17) and the church (Acts 2) in the world. Christians are blessed to be citizens of a heavenly kingdom and as pilgrims; we live and work under the government of men. Some Christians believe that they should have nothing to do with the government because it is corrupt. Another group of Christians believe also that Christians have a responsibility to make the government better by getting elected into political posts and morally serving as an influence for good in the society. By so doing, the government and the Church will clearly work together for the good of all. However, it is pertinent to note that Christians should be good citizens without compromising their beliefs. There are so many reasons why Christians are expected to be in subjection to the laws of the government. However, for the purpose of this discussion, we shall only identify two. The first one is that for wrath’s sake – it is God who established the governments of the world (Acts 17:24-28). To resist the law is to resist the God who established governments in the world and this simply means rebellion and inviting punishment (Daniel 4:17, 25, 32). Again, the second reason is for conscience sake – any citizen can obey the law because of the punishment but a Christian ought to obey because of conscience. That is why it is very important that Christians are expected to pay necessary and compulsory bills and what we owe and that which is expected of us especially taxes, revenue, respect, honor, etc. we may not agree with all that is done with the money we pay but we dare not violate our conscience by refusing to pay. We are to live in peace with our earthly government as long as they allow us to live by our religious convictions. Pray for all in authority. As God works through the government of men to bestow peace, prayer should be a priority for those who wish to live in peace. When evil and corrupt men are put in power, it is with the permission of God and it is for a purpose. By doing good, we will silence the foolish evil ignorant talk of men and the same applies to the family where fathers are harsh and difficult, but what is important and required of all of us is to submit and pray for them. At our work place, we are to do good and to submit to impossible bosses with trust in God and not doing what is bad and unacceptable by God. You should not forget so fast that God is the overall Boss who can turn situations round in a twinkle of an eye. We are not expected to speak evil of anybody in authority for we will account for every careless word we speak. We are servants of the Most High God; whatever we are and whatever we do, God can use us to effect a change for good in our society or the environment we find ourselves and moreover, even in our leaders too. We are to be agents of change for the better. - By Jokpeme Joseph Omode