November 25, 2018
Christian Civics
Dangerous Grace: Paul's Letter to the Romans
As Thanksgiving approached I thought about what I am thankful for this year. My list of blessings starts with God's grace in my life, my beautiful family, my job, and my church family. From here my list continues through the familiar list of things we all too often take for granted. The incredible blessing of living in a country where we enjoy the freedom to worship as we wish, free speech, the right to participate in free elections, and many other freedoms are some of our most frequently overlooked blessings. In my reflections on the things I am thankful for this year, my gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy has led me to think of the political turmoil of this past year.
I'm not sure if it is due to the November elections or the seemingly endless demonstrations, rallies, and protests in Portland and Salem, but this year has felt like our country is in greater political turmoil than previous years. There seems to be a greater dissatisfaction with the current state of our government. Many conversations at work and with friends are heavily seasoned with individuals voicing their frustration and disappointment with an elected official or a controversial ballot measure. The political and social environment seems charged with potential conflict. All of this begs the questions: How should a Christian live in a society that isn't Christian? How should a follower of Christ participate in government and the political process of a government that is not following Christ?
The Christians in Rome were facing similar questions as they sought to follow Christ in a social and political environment that was hostile toward Christianity. In Romans 13, Paul presents a brief, but essential, answer to the question of "How should a follower of Christ live in a society that is not following Christ?"
I'm not sure if it is due to the November elections or the seemingly endless demonstrations, rallies, and protests in Portland and Salem, but this year has felt like our country is in greater political turmoil than previous years. There seems to be a greater dissatisfaction with the current state of our government. Many conversations at work and with friends are heavily seasoned with individuals voicing their frustration and disappointment with an elected official or a controversial ballot measure. The political and social environment seems charged with potential conflict. All of this begs the questions: How should a Christian live in a society that isn't Christian? How should a follower of Christ participate in government and the political process of a government that is not following Christ?
The Christians in Rome were facing similar questions as they sought to follow Christ in a social and political environment that was hostile toward Christianity. In Romans 13, Paul presents a brief, but essential, answer to the question of "How should a follower of Christ live in a society that is not following Christ?"
Version: 20241125
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