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[Dave & Ella McMullen]

Bearing in mind that the citizens of the United States are in fact it's
rulers:  The God-established role of government is found in:

 1Pet 2:14 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**.

Our God-established role in this world includes being "salt": That is both
a flavor, and a preservative. I think it follows then that christians
ought to exert influence upon our governments to encourage them to stay
within their God-established roles. If they refuse to do so, it is true
that we may suffer for doing good - which suffering is indeed an honor and
a privilege. Yet our influence upon them should remain the same.

Multitudes of American citizens (meaning: American rulers) are not
followers of Christ. Our first duty toward them as Christians is to
Rightly represent Christ to them so that they may be saved. When they are,
one of the results will be that their world view will begin to change. But
even though they may not receive Christ many are willing to see the way of
rightness in the Biblical view of government.

Our first calling is as Ambassadors of Christ.  Somewhere after that comes
the responsibility of serving with other citizens as rulers of this
nation.


> If you're implying that suffering means that one isn't doing fine, then
> what would you say to the apostles:
>
> Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were
> counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. (Act 5:41)
>
> More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering
> produces endurance, (Rom 5:3)
>
> If we feel that we shouldn't suffer are we too willing to not be salt
> and light?  to be one like the world's own? Do we feel we are better
> than our master?
>
> "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
> If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but
> because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,
> therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: 'A
> servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they
> will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep
> yours. (Jn 15:18-20)
>
> I fear that too often Christians and churches expend too much energy
> trying to make the world act like one of Christ's through legislation of
> morality rather than trying to change the heart of the people so they
> naturally act like they should.
>
> We rail against works based salvation, but then turn around and teach
> the world that works are what matter by trying to change the acts of the
> world (abortion, homosexual lifestyle, etc.) without the corresponding
> change of heart.
>
> I would say that it looks very much like we are practicing hypocrisy by
> teaching against works based salvation, but, by our actions, showing
> that the works one does is the important thing.  Many in the church
> could be accused of being hypocrites and trying to make a bunch of
> hypocrites out of the wolves by just dressing them up in wool coats.
>
>  From the American Heritage Dictionary:
>    hy·poc·ri·sy
>
> NOUN:
> pl. hy·poc·ri·sies
>
>     1. The practice of professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one
> does not hold or possess; falseness.
>     2. An act or instance of such falseness.
>
>
>
> sjm
>
>
>
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