“If not us, who? If not now, when?”
Variously attribtued to Rabbi Hillel, JFK, Ronald Reagan, et al.
Regardless of who said it, it’s a powerful call to action. It appeals to our sense of duty and to our sense of urgency. For Christians, these two appeals should be especially compelling.
Christians should have a strong sense of duty.
- Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14.15).
- Jesus said, “If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13.17).
- Paul said, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2.10).
Christians must also have a strong sense of urgency about our work.
- Paul said, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5.15-16).
- James said, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4.17).
No one in this world is better equipped than God’s people to act boldly and swiftly in a sinful world.
- Who’s better equipped than children of God to care for the sick and dying?
- Who better than children of God to show compassion to the hurting and lonely?
- Who better than children of God to demonstrate divine love to the unloved?
- Who better than children of God to speak the truth?
- Who better than children of God to stand up for what is right?
- Who better than children of God to exhibit hope in the midst of despair?
- Who better than children of God to act with wisdom in a world gone mad?
Have I prepared myself to engage? Have you?
If not us, who? If not now, when?