Preacher: Pastor (Dr) Otive Igbuzor
Text: Prov 29: 2, Is 32: 1-2 Date: 23/6/24
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INTRODUCTION
Citizens have roles to play in building their countries. Christians as good citizens have roles to play in building their countries.
Historically, Christianity has played pivotal role in shaping the moral, social and political trajectory of many nations. Christianity provided the moral and ethical framework that guided the development of laws and governance in many societies. The ten commandments have been foundational in the development of many legal systems (Ex 20: 1-7). Christianity has been instrumental in promoting education and literacy in many countries. Protestant ethics contributed to the rapid growth of many countries. Christianity has played a crucial role in the development of health care and social welfare system. Christianity has been in the forefront of movements advocating for social justice, human rights and rights of the environment and nature. Christian abolitionists such as William Wilberforce played a key role in the abolition of slave trade arguing that every human being is made in the image of God (Gen 1: 27). Throughout history, Christians have established charitable groups to aid the poor and oppressed.
In modern society, Christians have great roles to play in democratic governance and organising for national progress.
ROLE OF CHRISTIANS AND THE CHURCH IN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE
In order to understand the role of the church in democratic governance, it is important to outline biblical understanding of human government and the responsibility of Christians to human government. Bible scholars have delineated three functions for human government: to protect, punish and promote.
Protect: The function of protection envisages that government will put some form of restraint and rule to protect citizens from themselves. A clear example of this function is seen in Acts of Apostle Chapter 21 verses 27-31 where Roman soldiers stepped in to save Paul from being murdered in Jerusalem.
Acts 21:30-32 30 The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. 31 While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. (NIV)
Punish: The function of punishment is that governments will impose punishment upon criminals and evil doers. .
Rom 13:3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. (NIV)
Promote: The function of promotion envisages that government will promote the general welfare of the community where its laws are in effect. This is why Apostle Paul commands Christians to pray for human leaders “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”[i]
Similarly, there are three responsibilities of Christians to human government.
First is that Christians should recognize and accept that the powers that be are ordained by God.
Rom 13: 1-3 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: (KJV)
It is important to point out that this responsibility is predicated upon the fact that the human government perform the functions above and its laws are not anti-scriptural for the Bible clearly states that we must obey God rather than man (Acts 4: 19).
Secondly, Christians are expected to pay taxes to human government. (Matthew 17:24-27- 24 After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” 25 “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” 26 “From others,” Peter answered.“Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.” (NIV)
Finally, Christians are expected to pray for the leaders in human government. 1 Tim 2: 1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. (KJV)
ORGANISING FOR NATIONAL PROGRESS
Biblical foundation for Organisation: The Bible instructs that every thing should be done in an organised manner. The first principles of delegation was expounded in the scriptures.
1 Cor 14:40- But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. (NIV_
Ex 18:21-22- But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. (NIV)
Righteous leaders lead to well being and progress of a nation. Wicked rulers lead to suffering and disaster.
Prov 29:2- When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn. (KJV)
Is 32: 1-2- See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice. 2 Each one will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm, like streams of water in the desert and the shadow of a great rock in a thirsty land. (NIV)
Righteous leaders will have positive impact on the nation. Wicked and corrupt leaders bring reproach to nations.
When the people are united and organised, it brings progress to nations.
Ps 133:1- Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! (KJV)
The rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem by Nehemiah illustrates the power of collective effort and determination.
Neh 4:6- So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. (NIV)
National repentance, prayer and divine guidance can contribute to progress of nations.
2 Chron 7: 14- If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. (KJV)
James 1: 5- If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. NIV)
If the government and citizens of a country prioritise social justice, mercy and humility, there will be national progress.
Micah 6: 8- He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly[a] with your God. (NIV)
Is 58:6-7- “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? (NIV)
CHALLENGE
Are you a Christian? Are you playing your role? Are you participating in governance? Are you registered to vote? Do you vote? Do you participate actively? Do you pay taxes? Do you pray for leaders in authority? Are you united and mobilising for national progress?
CONCLUSION
Historically, Christianity has played crucial role in the development of the modern world. Christians have a responsibility to contribute and participate in the proper functioning of governments. There is a biblical foundation for organising for national progress. This can only happen with righteous leaders, united and organised people operating with attitude of repentance and divine guidance in an environment where social justice, mercy and humility are prioritised.
PRAYER POINTS
Father, help us to enthrone righteous leaders at all levels and everywhere in our country.
Almighty God, guide us to organise our nation for progress.
Lord Jesus, intervene to enthrone unity, peace and progress in our country.