Shut Up and Love

For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly . . . 

 - Ephesians 5

Paul gives us great advice today, on how to deal with the rampant sin in the world. We all know what I'm talking about. From the Left to the Right, we hear valid and convicting words of great sin (always committed by someone other than the speaker): From sexual immorality, to mistreatment of the environment, to failure to care for the poor, to mismanagement of personal and public wealth, to the idolization of celebrities, tax-collectors and other government officials, to lying, cheating, wasting, hoarding, self-loving . . . . It goes on and on.

Paul says, don't even talk about the evil deeds of others (which is one reason why the Christian Right, at least, will always lose the morality debate - they aren't allowed to talk about the details!) 

The rest of today's passage gives priority to being the light of the world. If our marriages are strong and healthy, if our parents raise their children with holiness and love. If our businesses are managed ethically. If our funds are used charitably. Do all of these things, and light will abound. What is truly evil will be revealed, and we won't have to say anything.

So basically we just all need to shut up and go about doing the right things. And we know what they are.