Complicity is a criminal law doctrine where a person can be held responsible for a crime committed by another. It involves intentionally assisting, soliciting, or encouraging the commissions of a crime, making the accomplice liable to the same extent as the person who physically committed the act.  

The concept of complicity in the Bible refers to the act of being involved with others in wrongdoing or sin, either through direct participation or passive consent. Below are examples of complicity in the Old Testament and the New Testament.

Achan’s disobedience in taking forbidden items during the conquest of Jericho led to Israel’s defeat at Ai. Everything was supposed to be destroyed. Although the sin was committed by one man, the entire community suffered (Joshua 7).

Eli, the high priest, failed to restrain his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, who were corrupt and abused their priestly positions. Eli’s passive complicity in their sins resulted in divine judgment upon his household (1 Samuel 2:12-17,22-25).

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, found no fault in Jesus but succumbed to the pressure of the crowd (group think), washing his hands as a symbolic gesture of innocence. Despite his attempt to distance himself, Pilate’s complicity in the crucifixion of Christ is clear (Matthew 27:24-26).

The Apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian church for tolerating immorality among its members. Not just picking one kind of sin and ignoring others. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. He instructed them to expel the offender to prevent the spread of sin within the congregation.

This account, underscores the responsibility of church leaders to confront and correct wrongdoing. We are our brother’s and our sister’s keeper. Believers are called to uphold righteousness and justice, even when it requires standing against prevailing cultural or societal norms.

These directives emphasize the need for the church to actively address concerns and avoid complicity through inaction. (1 Corinthians 5:1-13). I believe the church has a responsibility to speak to its members about hurts in the community that they have the power to correct. Especially if they say they are believers, following Christ.

Moreover, the church is tasked with maintaining purity and holiness among its members. This involves confronting sin and exercising discipline when necessary. Complicity in sin, and wrong doing undermines the church’s witness and hinders its mission to reflect Christ’s holiness to the world.

From the time of Saul/ Paul’s conversion until his martyrdom, every move he made was aimed at advancing the knowledge, gospel, and church of Jesus Christ. Paul’s singular aim was to bring glory to Jesus.

“To live is Christ” means that we proclaim the gospel of Christ. Paul preached in synagogues; he preached as a prisoner, he preached as an apostle, and he preached as a tentmaker. His message was always the same: “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

In this message the apostle Paul is saying that everything he has tried to be, everything he is, and everything he looked forward to being, pointed to Jesus Christ.

He brought the message of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice to prisoners, kings, soldiers, politicians, priests, and philosophers, Jews and Gentiles, men and women. He did not force it, but would literally preach to anyone who would listen. In a language that they could understand.

“To live is Christ” means that we imitate the example of Christ. Everything that Jesus did and said, that’s what Paul wanted to do and speak. Followers benefitted from his godly example: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

The Christianity lifestyle is characterized by several key aspects, if you already call yourself a Christian.  If you are wondering what you should be doing in this strife we call life, it should be, what would Jesus do?

Faith: It is centered on faith in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation, emphasizing that true faith is not achieved through works but through divine grace.

Sensitivity to Sin: Christians are encouraged to have a strong sensitivity to sin and to confess it, reflecting their commitment to God.

Living a Life of Service: Believers are called to live a life that reflects Jesus Christ, avoiding worldly influences and striving to embody the teachings of Jesus.

Prayer and Study: Engaging in prayer and diligent reading of the Scriptures is essential for understanding and growing in faith. Not to inflate your narrative.

Repentance and Confession: A Christian’s life is marked by a willingness to repent and seek forgiveness, demonstrating a genuine relationship with God. You become a “New Creature.”

These elements together define what it means to be and live a Christian life. Thus, reflecting the core beliefs practiced by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother/sister, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother/sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20).

To “ignore the noise” means to disregard distractions, irrelevant opinions, and negativity to stay focused on your true goals and what should truly matter. Identifying what is important (the signal) and actively tuning out things that derail you, whether it’s the thoughts of others, the constant barrage of information from social media, or the inevitable setbacks in any plan.

It is a mindset essential for progress, requiring the ability to filter out distractions and channel energy toward productive action and achieving desired outcomes. Thus, staying focused, and creating a distraction-free environment.   

Interruptions, both external and self-inflicted, are no longer the exception; they’ve become our default mode, says Zelana Montminy, a positive psychologist and the author of Finding Focus: Own Your Attention in an Age of Distraction. “We’ve trained our brain to need and want interruptions,” she says. “It’s almost like we’re addicted to distractedness.”

It isn’t accidental. Our devices are engineered to exploit this vulnerability. I have watched parents allow their children to spend hours on tablets, until they passed out. I have also seen adults pushing a stroller with one hand and the other one on their smart phone. No interaction at all with the child.

Many of us believe we’re adept at juggling interruptions, but research tells a different story, according to Gloria Mark, Chancellor’s Professor of Informatics at the University of California, Irvine, and the author of Attention Span: A Groundbreaking Way to Restore Balance, Happiness, and Productivity.

“Think of your mind as a whiteboard,” she says. “Each task or topic you focus on is like writing on that whiteboard. When you multitask, you’re constantly erasing and rewriting different information.”

All of that switching comes at a cost. Studies show that multitasking leads to longer completion times, more errors, and increased stress. “Your executive function, your brain’s CEO, gets fatigued,” says Mark. “And it struggles to filter out distractions or make decisions, leaving you even more susceptible to interruptions.”

The story in Luke 10:1-23 describes what should be central to our identity. When the seventy-two people Jesus sent out to tell others about the kingdom of God returned from their journeys, they reported to Him that “even the demons submit to us in your name” (v17).

While Jesus acknowledged that He’d equipped them with tremendous power and protection, He said that they were focused on the wrong thing. He insisted that their cause for rejoicing should be because their “names are written in heaven” (v20).

Not how much power and influence they swayed.

No man or woman is an island. I among others have probably repeated this phrase a hundred times, not knowing that there is more to it. It comes from the 1624 prose work Devotions upon Emergent Occasions by the English poet and clergyman John Donne.  

“No man is an island, entire of itself; everyman is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. Therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

Broken down, Donne argues that no human is truly isolated. Instead, everyone is connected to the greater whole of humanity, like our individual body parts are connected. We can only live in the absence of a few parts. Is that why he made us with two kidneys, so we can share?

The latter part, “Bell Tolls” refers to the church bell, which historically signaled death. His point is that a person’s death affects everyone and we should not try to remain detached from such events. An event that affects us all. If we can help it, no one should be left to die alone.

The Bible does not directly contain the exact phrase “no man is an island,” but the concept is strongly supported by biblical teachings. “For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself” (Romans 14:7).

We are better together than we are alone. “Two are better than one, if either falls down, one can help the other up. And if two lie down together, they will keep warm.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).               

But with companions, we give and receive help. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. We are better together as God leads us. Before I go outside to work, and any other time I am alone, I ask God to be with me, and all those around me. When I forget, I notice a difference.

The 80/20 rule, or Pareto Principle, states that roughly 80% of results come from 20% of causes, highlighting that a small number of inputs often yield the majority of the output. Discovered by Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, it’s used in business and personal life to identify and focus on the most impactful efforts to improve overall efficiency and outcomes.

The phrase “showing up is 80% of success” is a quote attributed to Woody Allen. It was in reference to people who said they wanted to write a novel or movie. The people who actually do it are already 80% on their way to achieving something.   

It emphasizes that the act of consistently being there and putting in the effort is more crucial than extraordinary talent or elaborate plans. I thought about writing a book for years that never came to fruition. As of this writing, I have published 136 posts on https://chaplainjerry.com.

While the phrase “showing up” can imply various actions, biblical passages encourage being present, consistently faithful, and actively participating in community. Hebrews 10:25 encourages not forsaking “meeting together” to “exhort one another”.

However, James 1:22 urges believers to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only,” emphasizing action over mere presence. Finally, Matthew 5:16 speaks to how believers’ “good works” should be seen, showing that their presence can glorify God.

This verse highlights the importance of consistent presence within a community, whether it’s a hospital visit, or a group of friends. Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

You won’t always have the right answers and most of the time you’ll have no idea on what to say or do, but show up. God will give you the words as He sees fit when the time comes. We were never called to be a “know it all.” We are called to serve others. We are called to love.

Philippians 2:3-8: This passage is about serving others and having a humble mindset, reflecting Christ’s own example. It encourages believers to “show up” by looking out for the interests of others, not just their own.

This verse also illustrates that showing up and letting your actions, even small acts of kindness, be visible, can bring glory to God (1 John 4:19). It’s a response to Jesus’ own act of showing up and loving us, which should inspire us to love and serve others.

Regardless, at the end of the day, we must remember that Jesus first showed up for us. If Jesus hadn’t shown up, we would have been doomed. We would be left to die in our sin. We would be headed towards a terrible destination. But the good news is, He did show up, in full glory.

Not 80/20, but 100%. Only He has no limitations. Aren’t you glad about it?

Saying we are a Christian, wearing clothes with Christian messages, and a large cross, gains attention. However, the bible teaches that the way we live and love as we share the gospel is the true identifier of those who follow Jesus. It can beam without saying a word.

When we are committed to living for Christ instead of for ourselves, the Holy Spirit changes how we feel and act, character, priorities, and ways of interacting with others. Our new life in Jesus is intended to represent Him while we point others to Him, as if God was making his appeal through us.   

The Apostle Paul says, “Therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3).

Love God and others, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. Serve others, be compassionate, merciful, and help the less fortunate.

Be merciful and forgiving, just as God is merciful, and forgive those who wrong you. Live out the Golden Rule. Treat others as you would want them to treat you. Be a light to others. Let your actions reflect your faith and be a positive influence on the world.

Do not judge. Avoid judging others; instead, focus on being a loving influence. Keep your word. Be honest and truthful in your commitments. Pray for others. Pray for those who persecute you and for more workers to spread the gospel.

Three core things God desires from people are to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God. These actions, outlined in the book of Micah (Micah 6:8), encapsulate acting fairly, showing compassion and forgiveness to others, and maintaining a continuous, humble relationship with God.

To determine what Jesus might tell Christians today, one must draw from her/his core teachings in the Gospels and apply them to modern issues. The central and consistent themes are love for God, selfless love for one’s neighbor, and establishing the Kingdom of God on Earth.

Jesus consistently sided with the marginalized and the poor rather than aligning with a political party or power structure. In today’s highly polarized political landscape, those are the very people we consistently beat up on a daily basis.

Have you heard the saying, sleeping with one eye open? It refers to light sleepers who can pretty much tell you everything that happened while they were supposed to be asleep. They very seldom miss out on anything that happens day or night.

Dolphins sleep with one eye open. Most humans would find it impossible to sleep with one eye open. Dolphins, on the other hand, can’t sleep any other way. That’s because, unlike us, they don’t breathe automatically and have to remain conscious in order to do so.

The solution to this predicament is called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep, which means one half of the brain rests while the other remains awake. When the right half of a dolphin’s brain is sleeping, its left eye is closed, and vice versa.  

Dolphins periodically alternate which side of the brain is asleep in order to rest fully while retaining consciousness. While sleeping, dolphins may rest motionless or swim slowly and steadily near the water’s surface. Strange mammals.

A number of their fellow sea creatures, from beluga whales to sea lions, also exhibit unihemispheric sleep. On the other end of the spectrum are otters, who float belly-up and often hold hands with one another so as to not drift apart while snoozing.

Great Frigatebirds, meanwhile, sleep in 10-second bursts while remaining airborne for as long as two months at a time. And, like dolphins, they do it with one eye open.

The Bible often talks about watchmen, which are people who stand guard and protect others. These watchmen have an important job, keeping watch for danger and guiding their communities in faith.

Just like a guard on a tower, they help keep everyone safe and alert. Through scripture, we learn about the role of watchmen and how they are called to be responsible for the well-being of others.  

The watchman’s duty is to communicate God’s message, offering a chance for people to repent and be saved from destruction. If the watchman fails to warn, they become responsible for people’s deaths.

But if they warn and the people refuse, the people are responsible for their own fate.

Many of us are aware of a relationship that failed because the person believed that once they changed the person into whom they wanted them to be, it would be a perfect relationship. They would go ahead and marry them as they are and immediately get to work on the change.

However, this desire to change others often leads to frustration, disappointment, and a strained relationship. Every individual has the right to live their life in a way that aligns with their own values, beliefs, and choices. Willingly, not by force or coercion.

Accepting and letting people be as they are is crucial for fostering healthy relationships, promoting emotional well-being, embracing diversity, and encouraging personal growth. By accepting and letting people be, we acknowledge and respect their autonomy, allowing them the freedom to express themselves without judgment or pressure to conform.

The experts on human nature say that we are wired to seek control and influence over our surroundings, including the people we interact with. Whether it’s our friends, family, or even acquaintances, we might find ourselves yearning for them to align with ours.

Perhaps we should add the phrase “as is” to the wedding vows.  For better or worse does not seem to imply this thought. Over a period of time, based on circumstance that are not planned, survival instincts sneak in. Our true selves appear, we commonly say, out of nowhere.

We become comfortable and unpolished. We stop saying and doing the things that the other person liked about us, and start to expect them to understand that because we stay, or pay the bills, that should suffice. The other person might see it as now you are just being tolerant.

Every relationship requires a tune-up every once in a while. Words like, “Do you still feel safe with me?  What would you like for me to do that I have not done in a while? Do you still love me? Have I done or said something that gave you pause?” Acceptable communication is a must.

Just remember, don’t start what you cannot continue.