1024) As a lover of words, when I consider “active” and “passive,” I have the urge to look them up. The word “active” comes from the Latin word, “activus” which means preferring action to contemplation. The word “passive” comes from the Latin word passivus  meaning to suffer.

In 1 Corinthians 16:13, Paul instructs the church to be active, doing four things: “be on guard; stand firm in faith; be courageous; and be strong.” These things are choices we need to make rather than just sitting back and passively hoping that you’ll remember to guard; assuming you have faith; waiting to feel courageous; and, hopefully, be strong. Taking an active role in doing these four things pleases God. If we are passive about them, we will suffer.

So much of life depends on us taking action. The results of this are far better than sitting back and suffering. Don’t believe me? Look around you and see what people are really like who just want to suffer.