We can never forget the sacrifices of those before us and those around us. We must never become apathetic to things we take for granted like liberty, religious freedom, national and local security, healthcare, a shelf filled with food, gas at the pump, a library filled with every perspective of any topic, the right to vote, the freedom to speak, the freedom to be an individual, museums that do not hide the good, bad, and the ugly parts of history, even the ability to hold a Bible.
All of this was secured and protected by the actions, thoughts, and hearts of individuals who wanted to be part of the solution and not the problem.
We become part of the problem either by direct action in opposition or direct inaction due to apathy or complacency.
Zephaniah 1:12-13
English Standard Version
12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps,
and I will punish the men
who are complacent,
those who say in their hearts,
‘The Lord will not do good,
nor will he do ill.’
13 Their goods shall be plundered,
and their houses laid waste.
Though they build houses,
they shall not inhabit them;
though they plant vineyards,
they shall not drink wine from them.”
God was speaking to the nation of Jerusalem, but the teaching that we can apply is that God does not view human's complacency as good. We must actively be moving in the will of God. The will predetermined as written in the Bible.
There is a time and place for enjoying the fruit of the harvest but have we contributed to the harvest?
A great example was during WW2, steel was in high demand, a workforce was in high demand, and funding for the National offense and defense was being advertised as war bonds. It became a national effort to where every man, woman, and child contributed to secure liberty both domestic and foreign by sacrificing their items, money, time, and many with their life.
“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” John F Kennedy challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good.
This, in many ways in our modern culture, has been reverted. Secular worldviews have idolized the individual versus the importance of caring for the whole. A nerve is pinched in the back, creating an ache in the foot. The foot says I hurt, and I am the only one that matters when in reality, the foot is connected to the body, and if the body has a problem, it can potentially affect all areas of the body.
This is by no means saying one should contribute to the moral decay and call that being involved. It is to always keep God's will in perspective. How can I, you, or us contribute to society while being in the will of God? In the same ways, Jesus, His Apostles, and past believers have contributed while doing good even during persecution. A contribution towards either preserving the morals of a society or by trying to renew the morals of a society.
The switch from I to we can be life transformational as self-centeredness becomes genuinely loving your neighbor as yourself. Not only spiritually but physically and mentally, you care for their wellbeing and their free will to not only come to believe in Jesus's sacrifice, but we try to protect them from themselves as Jesus harnessed no anger towards those who crucified Him.
Luke 23:34
New International Version
34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
We provide the wisdom of God and take positive action; for example, if your friend tries to drive drunk, you either take their car keys or offer to drive them home. The act of drunk driving is an example of Biblical sin; taking the car keys or offering to drive is an example of preserving life. They may reject it, and the results may end in harm, death, or the death of others. That is what sin ultimately does. The culture may not understand why we promote Biblical morality, but it is genuinely based on the love for our neighbors do we try to slow the decay, combat corruption, and show people the love of Christ.