Politics / Civility – Be good citizens of our country

In the midst of the season we are in (an approaching election in the U.S., a world-wide pandemic, unrest in many American cities and elsewhere around the world), I challenge you to read with an open mind Romans 13:1-7.

Read it again, this time more slowly.

Could God’s Word be more relevant to our times? Saying these words out loud might start a fight with some. You may even be tempted to do what the United States' third president Thomas Jefferson did with verses he was not in agreement with – he literally cut them out of his Bible. That's really not an option for anyone who says they believe in God's Word. So, we need to keep our scissors in the drawer.

Why are these verses so inflammatory to us? I believe it is because we have become a very independent and obstinate people. None of us are too happy about giving someone else authority over us. We prefer to be our own authority, deciding what is best for us ourselves. We no longer value good citizenship enough in the United States.

But some of you might protest, doesn’t the Bible say our citizenship (as believers in Christ) is in heaven? Yes, it is. However, Romans 13 also tells us we are not excused from our responsibility to the government we are placed under (by God). We hold dual citizenship.

If we flout the authority over us when a decision is not to our liking, that works against the common good of all of society. Romans 13 tells us that our civic responsibility is to submit to authority. Rebellion against what God has ordained for our common good brings negative consequences.

It is important to remember that the Apostle Paul wrote this to Romans who were under the authority of the Emperor Nero at the time. Paul was warning Christ followers not to identify with revolutionary movements advocating for rebellion against Rome. Similarly, Jesus faced intense pressures from zealot elements in His time in Palestine (Israel). But Jesus refused to endorse those zealots’ use of violence to achieve their ends.

Now read Romans 12:9-21. We receive instruction here on how to face a hostile world – “do not repay evil for evil” because that only follows the inclinations of our sinful flesh. We are to hold to a higher standard as followers of Jesus Christ.

Finally, even if an authority over you appears unworthy, the government established by God for our common good is not unworthy. 

Now, regarding Romans 13:7 and paying taxes – where is my scissors? Ha.

Actually, I am to pay my taxes. I am to respect all who hold public office. And, I am to honor God completely with my life.

God's Word is powerful and important to us today (Isaiah 40:8).

Essential All's

Our oldest son from New York City called this morning to give us an update on what’s going on with him out there. Lots of closures throughout the city. Lots of “social distancing” required everywhere in the midst of that mass of humanity. This all affects his job and his ability to go into work (and do just about anything else for that matter). Following our conversations with him, I became fascinated with the concept of what’s “essential” in this world we live in?

Webster defines essential as what is “absolutely necessary; extremely important; fundamental or central to the nature of something or someone.”

When you think about it, what is really essential anyway – especially in light of what’s going on in our world right now thanks to the coronavirus pandemic? Essential. Hmmmm…

Over the years, I’ve heard about “essential oils” but I'm not very familiar with them. As I understand it, these are "essential" in the sense that they contain the "essence of" a plant's fragrance — a characteristic fragrance of the plant from which it is derived.

Not sure if I’ve ever actually used essential oils, as least knowingly? But, in contemplating many different thoughts and ideas in the past few hours, I started wondering if as a follower of Christ there aren’t several “essential all’s” that I can be doing as a fragrance of Christ in response to this world crisis?

Taking a cue from Galatians 5:22-23, what follows are nine all’s I’d like to challenge each of us to consider while we have this forced pause in our normal life patterns:

1.     All of us can love people like we’ve never loved them before. Reach out to your neighbors and find out if they have a need. Love them in the midst of this crisis when they might be fearful or negative or angry. And, if you don’t know your neighbors yet, use this time to think about how you can get to know them when that will be appropriate. Think about loving someone in new and different ways. 

2.     All of us can be joyful somehow, even in the midst of this crisis. If you are reading this, you have life and breath and the ability to connect with someone electronically. Something to be joyful about! It has been said that joy is good for your health (Proverbs 17:22). Proverbs 15:13 says that a “joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken.” Think about being joyful.

3.     All of us can seek peace. We can pray for our country, our leaders, our families and our future. We can seek to do whatever promotes unity (versus division) in our crazy world. We can avoid things that make us overly anxious or excessively tense - things that cause us to actually be at war with one another at times. Think about ways to seek peace in the midst of this storm.

4.     All of us can be patient with others (especially those with whom we really would rather not!). Be an example to those around you of what it means to trust the One in Whom we can literally trust our very lives. Think about the immediate needs and concerns of others around us, not just of our own selfish desires. Provide an extra measure of grace to those around you. Think about being patient at all times.

5.     All of us can be kind. Communicate with your loved ones somehow as often as possible (in spite of this "social distancing" we are required to be doing). Find out their needs and exhibit compassion for them daily. All of us can provide some form of comfort to others who need it. All of us can take this time to improve on our relationships, especially those that are strained. All of us can give/be generous in some way to the benefit of others. Think about being kind.

6.     All of us can be good. What can you learn during this time, especially with regards to helping others? What can you give up for someone else's benefit? Look for ways to be creatively good now so that you can share that same good once this crisis is over. Make at least one phone call each day to whoever is on your mind. Ask God to reveal His purpose for your life in the midst of this crisis. Think about being good.

7.     All of us can be faithful. Place your trust in the One Who is sovereign over all things. Share the Good News of the Gospel with those who need to hear it, especially during this time of uncertainty. Point people to the reason for your hope. Be grateful for at least one thing every day. Pray for our missionaries around the world who desperately need our fervent prayers at this time of uncertainty. As much as possible, ignore your fears and place your trust in the One Who created this world and holds it all together. Think about being faithful.

8.     All of us can be gentle. Look for ways to encourage someone somehow in the midst of this crisis. Read a good book or two (or read one to someone else). Ask for forgiveness from those whom you have wronged in the past. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in the coming days, giving you wisdom for the times we are living through. Don’t be overly hurried or distraught about anything. Think about being gentle.

9.    All of us can exercise self-control. Turn away from media that is negative and scary, causing you to panic or be angry about everything. Pray for and thank those who are putting their lives on the line each and every day to solve this crisis. Put aside your own selfish desires and think more about the needs of others around the world. Submit your life to the One Who holds all the keys to all of life and then pursue happiness unceasingly.

The thing about essential oils is that they provide healing effects and induce relaxation. I am hoping that these “essential all’s” provide healing, relaxation and a fragrant aroma to all those around us. Let’s use this time in our lives to share a characteristic “fragrance” of hope from the One Who created the recipe for same.