“For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.”
Regardless if you are Republican, Democrat or Independent, most look at the lifestyle of former President Jimmy Carter with respect for how he lives. He has done more for peace, helping others, and even witnessing for Christ after he left office than any other in recent history. His doing good is an honor to him, which most find admirable.
I know many others leave a legacy of foundations and gifts to charities and education for the better good. The place of authority in government is to encourage right living among the people and stop or prevent chaos and anarchy. Respect for the constitution is the means to control evil and encourage good.
We have seen countries like Sudan and Haiti, where a group of people are trying to take law in their own hands. There are individuals who assume to be judge and jury without due process of the law and it ends up in the long run with more violence. Vengeance belongs to God and God has delegated it to governments for encouragement for right living. When each becomes a law unto himself, there is civil chaos and no one is protected.
The reason legitimate police and soldiers can do their job is the respect that we have for their task of defense. When we lose that respect you have increase looting, loss of property, and danger to life. Unfortunately, that unruly attitude has been on the increase in our country. God ordains order and with order must come submission for the greater good of the community.
It is God's will, that by doing good, you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. When we talk about how to live, it is important that we live in relationship with other people. We need to live so fools cannot say anything about us that can be substantiated. When we live uprightly and openly people will know that the gossip is not true.
This is good advice when it comes to gossip. When you are a victim of malicious talk, live in such a way you can hold your head up. Make your life such that people will not believe it and you have nothing to hide.
Tertullian of ancient Rome remarked about the contrast between the Christians and the heathens. When pagans deserted their relatives in the plague, Christians ministered to the sick. When Gentiles left their dead unburied on the battle fields, Christians took care of the wounded and dying. The more people watched the good works of the Christians, the greatest evidence was that their character was blameless.
Prayer: Lord, no matter what comes against me, help me to live in a way that is blameless as I submit to Your ways.
