To Be a Responsible Citizen
1-3Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it's God's order. So live responsibly as a citizen. If you're irresponsible to the state, then you're irresponsible with God, and God will hold you responsible. Duly constituted authorities are only a threat if you're trying to get by with something. Decent citizens should have nothing to fear. 3-5Do you want to be on good terms with the government? Be a responsible citizen and you'll get on just fine, the government working to your advantage. But if you're breaking the rules right and left, watch out. The police aren't there just to be admired in their uniforms. God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses them to do it. That's why you must live responsibly—not just to avoid punishment but also because it's the right way to live.
6-7That's also why you pay taxes—so that an orderly way of life can be maintained. Fulfill your obligations as a citizen. Pay your taxes, pay your bills, respect your leaders.
This sounds pretty simple, no? Do you think we've taken our level of emotion too far when it comes to our involvement in politics? Is this verse outdated? Where do we go with this?
Duly constituted authorities...? Are our politicians still duly constituted? Or are they more self-serving than country serving?
Duly constituted authorities...? Are our politicians still duly constituted? Or are they more self-serving than country serving?
I tend to think that politicians have used the interested voters as pawns for their own uses. I know everyone who pays attention, myself included, has their own ideas about politicians in power, what they do with that power, and how it effects us. Where does policy and faith meet? Do politicians choose policy based on what the voters want, or based on how that policy lines up with their faith and belief structure?
What level of interest in matters of the government is healthy to a life involved in Christ? Is it our duty to become involved in the process, to keep our country on the "right" track? Do we, as Christians feel we have to help keep God in our country? I think it is important to pay attention to what is happening in our country. But how many people pay too much attention to politics, while ignoring God? Where is that balance, and where do we need to be involved, as Christians, in the process?
What level of interest in matters of the government is healthy to a life involved in Christ? Is it our duty to become involved in the process, to keep our country on the "right" track? Do we, as Christians feel we have to help keep God in our country? I think it is important to pay attention to what is happening in our country. But how many people pay too much attention to politics, while ignoring God? Where is that balance, and where do we need to be involved, as Christians, in the process?
Some ideas came to me from your post-
ReplyDeleteOne- question asked before elsewhere. Is it permissible for a Christian who belongs to the Kingdom of God to also pledge allegiance to a country (like America)?
Two- in the biggest picture I don't think political matters... matter much at all. All the passion and emotion behind politics (or anything Earthly) assumes a great value of the thing. Politics in particular often steer us to judge and that's not good.
Cool blog so far.
Ok, jeffrywith1e. With that said, our government can put through laws that could impede in our rights to worship God. Would it be our duty to vote against those laws, should they arise, or let the chips fall and live life based on any events that may come?
ReplyDelete