A Path to a Better Society

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

Men will never obey things they have no respect for. Honor and respect are the aspects that make any society thrive. People earn our respect through time and evidence of their effort. However, honor is not earned. It is a gift that is given. When we respect those in authority, we are contributing to a culture of order and responsibility.

A lack of honor for authority can have profound consequences for individuals and communities. When people, especially the younger generation, refuse to show honor toward those in authority, it often leads to a breakdown in the social order and a disregard for the rules that maintain a just society.

Where does this breakdown of honor occur? Parents refused to honor authority, so their kids did too. Children often model their behavior on what they witness at home. Thus, parents and guardians have a significant role to play in instilling values of respect and obedience from their children. The refusal to give honor is a societal issue that has brought with it deep-rooted consequences. When you go against God’s way of doing things, the curse and destruction come your way.

Also, don’t allow excuses to make dishonor as a society okay. Poverty doesn’t make people steal, kill, and destroy. It’s a decision that people make to go against God’s way of doing things. Riots, chaos, hatred, and looting are not the results of a poor economy; they happen when people decide to agree with Satan’s program and refuse to sow honor.

When we choose to sow honor toward those around us and those in authority, we uphold Biblical principles and honor the divine order that God has set in place.

Practical Application

Find ways to sow honor every day. You can display it in how you talk to others, in how you care for those around you, regardless of if they deserve respect or not. How can you display honor today?

2 Timothy 2:21; Ecclesiastes 10:4

The Power of Your Vote

Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. (Romans 13:2)

God has given us the right to make our own choices in life. God allows people to determine their own fate. Our choices shape not only our destinies but also the collective destiny of our society.

Paul began the thirteenth chapter of Romans by addressing the idea of resisting authority, whether it be the governing powers, social norms, or the divine order of things. He reminded us that resistance to established authority is the same as resisting the ordinance of God—His divine arrangement of life.

In a society run by a representative democracy (like America is), our collective decisions have a direct influence on the direction we take as a nation. Every vote cast is a seed planted in the fertile soil of our nation. It is a seed that will always yield a harvest, whether of blessings or curses.

As believers, we are called to be mindful of how we vote and the choices we make, especially when it comes to government. We should approach our role in voting with a deep sense of stewardship. We must remember that God allows us the freedom to determine our own fate, even if it leads to unfavorable outcomes. But with this freedom also comes accountability. You must determine, do you want to plant in what is good ground scripturally or do you want to plant in the ground of society?

In Romans 13:2, the word damnation in Greek doesn't mean eternal damnation. It means the consequences and judgments that follow our choices. Our decisions should reflect our commitment to creating a society that upholds the values we hold dear as Christians.

Practical Application

When you go to vote, do not make choices based only on what will benefit you, but make them based on Biblical principles. Your vote is a seed and will either bring blessings or curses, depending on what you sow.

Isaiah 58:2; Genesis 8:22

When Selfish Desires Clash with Divine Design

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the Lord. And the Lord said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1 Samuel 8:4-7)

The pages of the Old Testament reveal a pivotal moment in the history of God's chosen people, the Israelites. It was a time when their desire for an earthly king collided with the divine design for their governance. God had, for centuries, guided His people through prophets and judges, leading them directly through His mouthpieces to their hearts. But the elders of Israel approached the prophet Samuel with a request: "Give us a king to judge us like all the nations." They wanted what everyone else had. They longed for a human king, a tangible ruler of flesh and bone, much like their neighboring nations. Samuel, the prophet, was upset at their request. He sensed the weight of their decision and sought the Lord's guidance through prayer.

God's response was clear: He told Samuel to listen to the voice of the people, for they had not rejected Samuel; they had rejected Him as their true King. This moment reminds us of the delicate balance between our desires and God's divine plan. It's easy to look at others and covet what they have, simply because everyone else has it or everyone else is doing it. Yet, as the Lord reminded the Israelites, following the crowd can lead to disastrous consequences. The king would tax their money, take their land and children, burden them, harm them, and be unjust.

In our lives, we often face choices where our desires may clash with God's perfect design. It's during these moments that we should pause, like Samuel, and seek the Lord in prayer. We should ask ourselves if our desires align with God's will or if we are simply pursuing what seems in our mind to be popular or convenient.

Practical Application

When you are planning, take time to pause and ask the Lord if what you are doing has more to do with your heart or His will. Listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit and follow Him.

1 Samuel 10:19; Psalm 81:11