The Basis of Law
From our earliest years we have heard, "Birds of a feather flock together." There is a lot of truth in that observation. We are comfortable with people who believe as we do. Out of the many things we have in common, our friends basically share our world views.
From man’s earliest years on earth, national politics have reflected the views of its citizens. Nations like Moab and Ammon legalized their godless practices because her citizens believed in Baal and Ashtoreth. Whether it was sexual immorality practiced for an idol god or goddess, or whether it was the ritual sacrifice of one’s children to these gods, such was the legalpractice in these nations, because it was the popular practice of its people, endorsed by its religions.
Laws are, after all, based on our sense of right and wrong. Laws enforce a code of conduct upon its citizens. If a populace is taught in the ways of God, they will enforce codes of conduct in their society, codes whereby no one will get hurt, and people will respect one another.
The Holy Spirit reveals, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, the people groan." (Pro. 29:2)
The influential place of religion in a society cannot be forgotten. Codes of conduct that eventually become laws, had their origin in religious faith. As is true in any nation, if a majority of people hold to a certain opinion or belief, that opinion or belief will be part of a nation’s law system.
As Christians, we have been put on a teaching mission by Jesus Himself (Mtt. 28:18-20). We are called to change society, one-person-at-a-time. This process will eventually have a telling effect, as it did in Ephesus, where Paul preached for two years. Christianity began to be a force for change to Ephesian society, as the number of believers grew. Christians threatened every nook of Ephesian society: religion, politics, and economy. (See Acts 19.) A riot eventually broke out, incited by the silversmith union.
As Americans, we have been given an unusual gift by our forefathers. We have the opportunity to make laws and to elect officials who hold our beliefs, that those laws will be enforced and encouraged. Such God-respecting laws are a part of our nation, so long as they are held by a majority of our people. We cannot forget that all of our laws are not always morally right; they are merely popular.
Our job as Christians is to effect social change through individual conversions to Jesus Christ. Let’s "be about our Father’s business!"
|
