He was one of our number and shared in our ministry. Acts 1:17
“As long as goodness is successful, we can afford the luxury of regarding it as having no ethical significance; it is when success is achieved by evil means that the problem arises. In the face of such a situation, we find that it cannot be adequately dealt with, either by theoretical dogmatic arm-chair criticism, which means a refusal to face the facts or by opportunism, which means giving up the struggle and surrendering to success.
We will not and must not be either outraged critics or opportunists, but we must take our share of responsibility for the moulding of history in every situation and at every moment, whether we are the victors or the vanquished. One who will not allow any occurrence whatever to deprive him of his responsibility for the course of history—because he knows that it has been laid on him by God—will thereafter achieve a more fruitful relation to the events of history than that of barren criticism and equally barren opportunism.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Letters and Papers from Prison: The Enlarged Edition, edited by Eberhard Bethge (New York: SCM, 1971) 7.
We live in challenging times when much evil seems to prevail. Many have likened them to the days of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, so it seems fitting to read his thoughts. He notes that many choose criticism or opportunism in response to crazy times. But to take our responsibility in the middle is to have a share in fruitful ministry.
During the days of the early church in Acts, the Roman emperors held a tight grip over society, and there were critics and opportunists on both sides. Despite the danger, God’s workers spread the truth about Jesus and lived it faithfully. In just two centuries they would become the majority population.
But how? Ordinary people had a share in the ministry. That’s how! They decided to live for Jesus and use all they had to advance His purposes, regardless of the cost. Bonhoeffer did it in his day. The question is, will we do it in ours. Don’t be a critic or an opportunist. Have a share in fruitful ministry.
A critic appears as a person hoarding what Jesus has supplied to them. An opportunist deploys a portion, perhaps their surplus to God’s work, but maintains their comfort and aims at personal gain. A person with a share in frutiful minisry holds nothing back from God. Where do you fit in this picture?