We are called citizens of heaven, yet we live here on this earth - and we are called to follow God's precepts and pursue His purpose, so that His glory may be evident on the earth. Philippians 3 reminds us of our ultimate home:
20For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,21who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
1st Peter 2 reminds us that are "sojourners and pilgrims." This world is not our home, but we're here for a reason, and we can show the world what it means to be a child of God. He desires for us to walk in a manner that is consistent with the character of Christ, which can put us at odds with people in the world, but can have a dramatic impact. If we are living according to His principles and radiating His nature, we have the unique opportunity to direct people to our source of hope, Who can provide the answers for which people are searching these days.
There's a passage in 1st Peter 2 that speaks to the civil order in our society and can help to shape our behavior as we seek to be people of influence:
13Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme,14or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men--16as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.17Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
A new Pew survey seems to indicate that many Americans would like to see a greater influence of religion in public life. The results show that nearly three-quarters of the public - 72% - now thinks religion is losing influence in American life, up 5 percentage points from 2010 to the highest level in Pew Research polling over the past decade.
Pew points out that, as in previous surveys, most people who say religion is losing its influence in American life see this as a negative development, with 56% of the public as a whole saying it is a “bad thing” that religion is losing sway in the U.S. The concern is most pronounced among white evangelical Protestants, 77% of whom say religion is losing influence and that this is a bad thing, but is shared by majorities of white mainline Protestants (66%), black Protestants (65%) and Catholics (61%). The religiously unaffiliated who see religion’s influence as waning are evenly divided over whether this is a positive or a negative development.
The summary of the survey surmises that perhaps as a consequence, a growing share of the American public wants religion to play a role in U.S. politics. The share of Americans who say churches and other houses of worship should express their views on social and political issues is up 6 points since the 2010 midterm elections (from 43 to 49%). The share who say there has been “too little” expression of religious faith and prayer from political leaders is up modestly over the same period (from 37% to 41%). And a growing minority of Americans (32%) think churches should endorse candidates for political office, though most continue to oppose such direct involvement by churches in electoral politics. This is especially encouraging to those who participated in Pulpit Freedom Sunday this past week.
The survey attempts to paint a picture for the religious landscape in America leading up to the midterm elections next month.
I think we can take away some discouraging news from the survey, but also concentrate on a ray of hope that is presented through the results. This is another confirmation of a waning role of religion in our society. I believe that the age-old institutions and foundational principles upon which this nation was founded are being challenged today. And, I would dare say that many of the principles that have contributed to the order and morality of our society in which we live are rooted in the Scriptures.
Even though we see pockets of chaotic behavior around our world today, even in some of our neighborhoods, in America, we live in a relatively peaceful society. Even though there are those that reject the principles of God's Word, still I think there is a driving force that causes people to regard one another respectfully and to obey the laws of the land, many of which are consistent with Scriptural admonition. We can be thankful that our traditions and the preserving hand of God have contributed to an unprecedented sense of order that permeates our society.
And, the fact that Americans do tend to look out for and support one another is a testimony to a longstanding viewpoint of walking in a manner consistent with the love of Christ, who gave of Himself so that we might come to know Him.
But, there are definitely cracks in the foundation. Three-quarters of Americans, according to this survey, see a declining influence of religion, but only half see this as a bad thing. There are many who would declare a reduction in the role is good, but I would conclude that they are still people who participate in an orderly, civil society. And, you continue to think that our civil laws are just an outgrowth of a strong Biblical influence on our society. Recognizing that there is abundant evidence that we are living in a nation whose founders were motivated by a belief in God, and that there is a civil code that has a religious component, then I think that can give us as Christians a sense of confidence. Yes, we do belong, we do have a role to play in our culture, and rather than shrink back, we can trust God to use us to speak out for Him, to make Him famous, and to point people to a knowledge of our Savior. People want answers, they are searching for hope, and we can be instruments to show people the source of true hope.
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