We are living in very odd times. There seems to be a tidal wave of change that with wisdom we could have seen building for some time. For decades now people have talked about how divided we are as a country: it is only getting worse. We are more divided now than ever, even more divided than during the Civil War for we are divided within states, within cities and communities, and even within churches and families.
There is not just one or two issues on which we are divided. We divide on issues of race, economics, policing, relations with Israel, immigration policy, social justice, the environment, taxes, you name it, we are divided. Not just divided with different opinions but fundamentally, adamantly divided. We deal with each other with such vulgar words, vicious tones, vitriol hatred, and — in the worst cases — violent attacks. While more nuanced in reality, it seems that we fall into four groups. One group likes the Democrats and hates the Republicans, the other likes Republicans and hates Democrats while the third group hates them all and the final group just doesn’t care. Each group wants to cancel out the other side. We have the same reaction based on race, social-economic status, sexual orientation, or any number of these things that automatically divide us into unmendable factions pitted against each other.
In all of this, our leaders seem more interested in using this contentious atmosphere to their advantage and for their own power than to work as statesmen and peacemakers. The pursuit of power is the common trait. An overwhelming majority are either helping to cause the divide or working to get the support of one of the groups.
How do I, how do we as the body of Christ navigate these times? The first thing I want to avoid is dealing directly with the vast number of issues that could and need to be addressed. Yet we can’t go there in this post. Most likely not on this site. These issues, while important, would take us away from our mission of sharing our passion for the Word of God. Each of these issues, while interconnected in many ways, does not have a singular or simple answer. Even in the Church, we differ on our answers and the approach to these troubling subjects. While at the foundation the solution is the reign of Christ in each of our hearts and lives, not everyone is saved nor will they come to a saving faith. So, what can we do?
We must do what we are always supposed to do: go to the Word of God! We go to God’s Word to find what He has to say to us, what He is calling us to do! Let’s start where it all starts: our attitude. First, see what Jesus said about a well-loved topic: taxes in Luke 20:25. Think about what Jesus is saying. Pay tax to the Jewish oppressor, to those who would kill Him and many of his followers, including many of the Apostles! While the Romans were accountable to God for what they did, the people were responsible to give Caesar what was required. But was Jesus just talking just about taxes? Maybe the rendering to Caesar goes beyond money. Paul explicitly makes this point in Romans 13:1–7.
Paul starts with the concept of authority. While “we the people” at the foundational level are the government of this nation, we have created certain positions and institutions for the purpose of the management of our country. From the President, legislators, and judges to teachers and law enforcement officers, we ask people to fill these positions expecting them to serve the nation and our local communities. Without this, we would have no government. Government by all the people is not a workable government but anarchy.
At the same time, for the government to work, “we the people” must be willing to be governed. That becomes an issue for the “no one is telling me what to do” mindset. That sentiment may look good on social media, a bumper sticker, or a t-shirt but doesn’t work in the real world. We must come under the authority which God has established (Romans 13:1) or none of it works. The problem is not just with the ones governing but also with the governed: us!
Notice what Paul adds to what he says about paying taxes in verse 7 of the Romans 13 passage, “respect” and “honor”. Wow, when was the last time you saw that given? More importantly, when was the last time you or I or any of us gave that? Whether to President Trump or President Biden, the police officer who pulled us over, or the teacher who isn’t treating our child the way we want — is the attitude of our heart respect? Is our first reaction to give honor to a school administrator we are having issues with or to a supervisor we feel is treating us unfairly?
I care a great deal about the issues of the day and do not lack for opinions about the causes or solutions needed. A part of me wishes to rage against the ungodliness of our time. But respect and honor? Respect and honor — this is where we all struggle but must land. This is where our hearts must change. So as helpful as a discussion of the social issues of the day might be, the greater need is for the Word of God.
Our desire at Cultivating Faith is to call readers to God’s Word as the source of the answers, the source to formulate an understanding of the issues even before we think about the solutions. Some problems will not have direct and clear statements about them in His Word. We will have to study to understand biblical principle and seek how to apply them to unique situations. But as in the Romans passage, some things are clear, even if distasteful to us. Respect and honor must be at the foundation of our heart’s desire regardless of our affiliation with the particular leader or opinion of him or her. That will change how and where one goes next in our lives and society at large, how we seek to address the issues of our day.
Until the next time we see you here at CultivatingFaith.org, God Bless! #CultivatingFaithOrg
Photo by Samuel Branch on Unsplash