The Christian and Society I

There are many views of society in religion. Take the Amish- cut off completely from society and current events. They shun society because they see all of it as vain or sinful. They don't drive cars and don't take pictures of themselves. Then there's us Christians which  are split across the board to Amish-like to an extent to fully immersed in culture- even in the sanctuary. There are some basic principles in the Bible in regards to government and society, and unfortunately for some of us more politically minded, our like or dislike for the leaders of our society don't make a difference in our response.

In I Peter, Peter tackles many issues facing the church in their society. Remember, Nero, one of the most Christian-hating emperors ever, is reigning. Also, in Roman society, the man is the head of the household and what he says goes-wives just had to go along with it. Also, there were slaves. Keep in mind that these facts of society were just that- facts. Peter isn't speaking on whether these facts are right or wrong. Today, man is sinful, and most men are not saved so there is an overwhelming sin controlling a majority of our society- that's a fact. Abortion, homosexual marriage, and feel-good Christianity is rampant- this is a fact.

I Peter 2: 11-20

¹¹ Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;
¹² Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
¹³ Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;
¹⁴ Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
¹⁵ For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
¹⁶ As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
¹⁷ Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
¹⁸ Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
¹⁹ For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
²⁰ For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

 What does it say here? "Honour the king, submit yourselves to ordinance of man . . ." And then slaves are to be subject to masters, even the mean ones! The Lord says that this "is the will of God . . . and is acceptable . . ." He didn't mention anything about if your leader is a democrat, or a Muslim, or pro-choice. There's not an exclusion clause here. Now I know your thinking- you want me to be a Democrat Muslim Pro-choice Christian???!!! No, absolutely not! The Bible also says in Acts 5: 29 "We ought to obey God rather than men." We are never to obey an order or praise someone's actions that are black and white sin like abortion, murder, demoting Jesus to a prophet, etc.

But . . . there are some things here that don't make the list - patriotism for instance is sometimes elevated to a position of prominence over the Bible. We should support our troops and their sacrifice, and we should pray for our country and work to put Godly leaders in place. But how many times do we get more upset or emotional about "I'm Proud to Be an American" and gripe about all the sin in our society while doing nothing about it? Oh church, why do you think America is in the social decline it is in? Because the church hasn't been doing their job. Why does the government have medicaid which we gripe about constantly draining our economy? Because the church stopped meeting the needs of the orphans and the widows like we are commanded to do! We were founded as a Christian nation but satan is always at work- I found out just this week from a missionary that Christianity is on the rise in every country EXCEPT AMERICA! Just like the Israelites, the Lord's presence is present and uninhibited and yet we take it for granted and stamp it out of every aspect of our lives. We can go to church freely and learn and we can speak out against sin for the most part. No other country has these opportunities or luxuries. The people in Roman society sure didn't! 

Peter then turns to wives whose husbands are non-Christians. Remember, women are to be submissive entirely and obey their husband in this culture. Peter states in 3: 1: "Likewise ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversations [behavior] of the wives." Again, Peter states that subjection, so long as it does not violate a black and white area of holiness, is to be followed to the letter of the law.

The theme here is this: Regardless if the Christian was a slave or a wife of a non-Christian, they were the presence of the Lord to their leader. That might have been the only glimpse the non-Christian got of the gospel. Husbands, masters, and government officials could be changed by the presence of the Holy Spirit in these Christians' lives. It's one of those moments where questions begin to be asked and souls begin to be saved. So church, what is your attitude toward your boss, your non-Christian family members, and your government officials? Our best example is that of Christ- Continued in Part 2.