____________________________________________________ THE GOSPEL OBSERVER ____________________________________________________ "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations...teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19,20). ____________________________________________________ August 31, 2003 ____________________________________________________ Why Christians Make the Best Citizens by Tom Edwards In delivering his inaugural address in 1961, John F. Kennedy made a statement that is probably repeated by more people, and more often, than any other immortalized, presidential quote. He said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." In 1994, New Orleans averaged slightly over one murder per day -- a total of 400 for the year -- many of these being drug related. Another source mentioned that Baton Rouge has twice the number of murders, per capita, than New York City. In addition, the United States, though sad to say, leads the world in prison population. There are now 2,019,234 inmates, as reported in The Baltimore Sun (6/1/03). Prisoners are costing Federal and State governments $40 billion a year -- roughly $20,000 annually for each inmate. According to the 1998 Nation Crime Victimization Survey, 31.3 million US residents, 12 years or older, experienced a crime. For 73% (22.9 million people), it involved property crimes; for 26% (8.1 million), it was crimes of violence. Another source mentioned that tobacco-related illnesses are costing our nation $50-$60 billion annually. And for drug control, the $20 billion that is spent yearly by the state and local levels of government might seem like a hefty price to pay; but when one realizes the overwhelming cost that alcohol and drug abuse can burden our nation with, the drug control cost seems small. In 1992, for instance, alcohol and drug abuse was a staggering $246 billion from our country's wallet! Through the news we are continually inundated with the never-ending reports of crime and violence in our community, in our nation, and around the world. It seems that there is no end to such evil -- at least not for this world. But that is not to say that goodness cannot reside -- nor prevail. As I reflect upon these things, I firmly believe that the best course a person can take for the betterment of his or her country is to simply strive to be a child of God. Why? Because the Bible stresses the Christian's obligation to be in subjection to the higher powers in Romans 13:1-7. We learn in that passage that all authority originates with God (v. 1); and to, therefore, oppose the civil authorities is to oppose God Himself and to incur condemnation (v. 2). Daniel declares in Daniel 2:21 that God is the One who "...removes kings and sets up kings." Corresponding to this, when Pilate questioned Jesus by saying, "Do you not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You," Jesus responded by saying, "You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above" (Jn. 19:10,11). Though we are to always be in submission to the higher authorities, the Bible does draw a line concerning some laws that the Christian cannot comply with. In Acts 4:17-21, for example, the apostles were commanded to cease teaching about Jesus; in Acts 5:28,29, however, their response was, "We must obey God rather than men" -- and they, therefore, went right on boldly proclaiming the gospel. Romans 13:3 sets forth a general principle: It is not usually the law-abiding citizens who need to be in fear of the governing authorities; but the law-violators do. As Peter writes, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right" (1 Pet. 2:13,14). So while the good can be admired, the evildoers are to be punished. Though the punishment can vary, depending on the nature of the offense, notice its maximum degree in Romans 13:4. In this passage, the government is referred to as being a "minister of God to you for good." So the government is for the good of the good man. But note, too, that "if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil." The use of the "sword" represents capital punishment; and, therefore, shows divine authority for it. Paul also, not only acknowledged that there were some crimes worthy of death; but also implies his approval of capital punishment by showing his willingness to submit to it, if he had committed such an offense (Acts 25:11). Romans 13:5 gives two good reasons why we need to be in subjection to the higher authorities: 1) "...not only because of wrath, but also [2)] for conscience's sake." Maintaining a good conscience is essential in our walk with the Lord. Paul, for instance, states in Acts 24:16, in view of his belief in God and the resurrection, "I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience before God and before men" (Acts 24:16). Of course, just having a good conscience isn't what will approve one before God (for one could have an improperly trained conscience); but to violate one's conscience will always result in sin: "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23). Paul also speaks of those who had made "shipwreck" of their faith by rejecting a good conscience, along with their faith (1 Tim. 1:19). One would have to be pretty deceived to be an outright lawbreaker, while at the same time have a good conscience about it. Those who are living as Christians today are definitely an asset to their government. For as we consider many of the crimes that are committed in our society and around the world, as those mentioned above, we know that it would not be the children of God (who are striving to maintain holiness before the Lord) who would be making up the bulk of today's numerous violators and criminals. For another example, the true Christian is one who is not trying to drain the American welfare program dry through dishonest means. Welfare is good for those who are genuinely in need; but how sad when people are just taking a wrongful advantage of the system -- and, sometimes, even their children grow up to do the same. It becomes a way of life for them -- when it really need not be -- and would that not be, in a sense, stealing from it? The Bible, on the other hand, instructs the Christian to work (2 Thess. 3:6-15; 1 Thess. 4:11,12; Eph. 4:28); and to willingly refuse to do so is grounds for church discipline (2 Thess. 3:14). For "if anyone will not work, neither let him eat" (v. 10). Many Thessalonians had actually left their jobs because they mistakenly believed that the second coming of Christ was so imminent that there was no need for them to maintain their secular employment. Paul, therefore, gave them the above exhortation. He also points out that the one who doesn't provide for his own "...has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever" (1 Tim. 5:8). In addition, when we think of the ever-growing AIDS virus, we don't normally think of the Christians as being those who are responsible for the phenomenal spread of this. Since it was first reported back in 1981, it has now (as of 2002) claimed 25 million lives worldwide (as reported in the 2003 Britannica Encyclopedia). Approximately, 40 million people around the world are infected with HIV. In the US, there is now about 40,000 new cases of HIV/AIDS per year. Millions of dollars have gone into research for it. Though there have been those innocent cases of people who have contracted this virus, such as the babies born with it, those who had received it through a blood transfusion years ago, or those who picked it up from their unfaithful or drug-using spouse, its initial spread in our country was through the homosexual community; and regardless of the laws man will pass to justify homosexual practices, God's law will remain the same throughout time and up to the judgment day: the "effeminate" and "homosexuals" "shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 6:9,10) -- unless they repent, turn to God, and be saved like many of those Corinthians were. Paul had said concerning them, "And such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God" (v. 11). From the gay community, AIDS then began spreading to heterosexuals through fornication, adultery, and prostitution -- sins of which are also included in 1 Corinthians 6:9,10 that will keep one out of heaven. So while man was trying to get the word out about "safe sex," God's word continued to show that that kind of sex (fornication) was far from safe: for no man-made protection can protect from sin -- and the penalty of such is eternal banishment in hell. That's something to think about! About that same time, it was discovered that the HIV was also being spread through the use of illicit drugs: Needles were shared from people already infected who were now infecting others. Though this is not to say that no Christian has ever fallen away from God into any of these avenues of sin; we can say, generally speaking, that the true child of God is one who strives to abstain from such defilements and iniquities. The gospel says, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19,20). Someone would definitely have a warped concept of the Scriptures if he would view illicit drug use -- or immorality -- as a way of glorifying God. How many crimes have been committed over the last several decades, due to drugs and/or alcohol? To support a habit, some drug users have had to come up with the money fast -- even if it meant robbing someone to do so; and, in some cases, physically injuring or even murdering that person in the process. Consider, too, the harm many illicit drug users have brought upon themselves -- and sometimes to even the point of a fatal overdose. Then we give brief attention to that other drug -- alcohol. How many injuries and fatalities have been the result from being under the influence of intoxicating beverages? According to the statistics, you can, without doubt, expect an increase in accidents and deaths. But as we think of the believer in Jesus who is striving to show faith and love to the Lord by the way he lives, we can see in that individual a light that will make our world a little brighter, a little better. And the more that is true in others as well, the better our world will continue to become. It will shine with the radiance of Christ's light. But a better world is simply a bi-product of being a Christian. What each person must concentrate on is putting -- and keeping --God first in his or her life. For when we strive to do that, everything else will then fall into its proper place. So in summing it up, true Christians make the best citizens because by their putting God first in their lives, they are also becoming better for any other relationship in life as well -- as spouses, as parents, as children, as employees, as employers, as neighbors, as friends, as citizens, etc. For in following Christ, it will lead one away from the crimes, sins, and uglinesses that mar our world, and will also enable that follower to become a "channel of blessing," as his life radiates faithfulness, righteousness, and the beauty of a Christ-like spirit. It will be out of his love for God that the Christian will "render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" (Luke 20:25), as well as to pray "...for kings and all who are in authority" (1 Tim. 2:2). So this loyal and submissive relationship to the civil authorities is a means whereby the Christian can also love and honor (by his obedience) his Father in Heaven, and that certainly means something to the child of God. For loving God and keeping His commandments is the most important thing a person can do -- and it actually sums up the whole duty of man (Eccl. 12:13). So why do Christians make the best citizens? Simply put: because of God's love for them, and their love for God and for others! ____________________________________________________ News & Notes We want to continue remembering Clarence Johnson in prayer. He was recently diagnosed with leukemia; but, so far, he has been feeling fine and without any pain or sickness. Since he has the slow kind, it might possibly be three or four years before he will have to begin treatment. Clarence preaches for the Susquehanna church of Christ in Marietta, Pennsylvania, about halfway between Lancaster and Harrisburg. ____________________________________________________ MYRTLE STREET CHURCH OF CHRIST 1022 Myrtle Street Denham Springs, LA 70726 (225) 664-8208 Sunday: 9:15 AM, 10:00 AM, 4:00 PM Wednesday: 7:00 PM evangelist/editor: Tom Edwards (225) 667-4520 e-mail: tedwards@onemain.com web site: http://home.onemain.com/~tedwards/go ____________________________________________________