What Is the Christian's Place in Society?
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Have you ever wondered what the apostle Paul would be doing on earth today, in the flesh? In light of these turbulent and tumultuous times that we are enduring, do you think that he would be involved in politics, by aligning himself with any one party? Or do you think that he would be fighting for the rights of the poor and needy? Or maybe he would be marching and peacefully protesting against social injustice in the many places where it is found?
To be sure, these are all noble undertakings that have their place, but would they be part of his present-day agenda? I do believe that it is quite possible that he would show up at these events, but his message would be clear. This is what he said to the Christians at Corinth:
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:1-2).
Apart from Christ Himself, I believe that the apostle Paul is the greatest example of what a Christian should be. From Paul, we learn how to live for the Lord, and through many examples, he shows us our place in society. The Scripture above tells us first and foremost what his heartbeat was, and what it was that motivated him to action.
For Paul, everything was all about making the message of the cross known to everyone. This was because to Paul, Christ was his life (Colossians 3:4). He made a nearly identical statement in another place:
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Paul also lived his life for Christ during trying times. He lived through several persecutions, and through the reigns of the evil Emperor Caligula, and also that of Claudius. He was stoned and left for dead, imprisoned several times, and beaten several more times. This is only a small sampling of the things he endured, yet through it all, he stood firm.
From the near thirty-year span of Paul’s Christian life, and the 14 epistles he wrote (counting Hebrews), he shows us just what our place in society is.
Christians Are to Pray for Those in Authority
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Here, we see very clearly that there is no stipulation as to who to pray for. We are not to pray for those who please us, or for those we like exclusively. It simply says that we are to pray for all people. The command even extends to those who are in government, whether it be on a national or local level. This may be difficult for some, but it is the proper Christian stance. Anything that Scripture says is good and acceptable, is what you want to be doing. The fact that government has been instituted by God gives us another reason why His people should pray for those in authority.
“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).
The crowning reason that we should pray for all men is so that they may come to the knowledge of the Lord. This is because of what the Lord spoke through Paul in 2 Peter:
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
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Christians Are to Shine as Lights
“So that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain” (Philippians 2:15-16).
Here Paul restates, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, a word Jesus spoke in the book of Matthew:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Paul tells us that shining as lights means to hold firmly on to the gospel. This means that as we proclaim it, we are not to allow it slip away from us, and we are to keep its message pure by not diluting it with anything else; it is Jesus plus nothing.
Christians Are to Avoid Being Entangled in the Affairs of this Life
“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer” (2 Timothy 2:4).
When Scripture speaks of “civilian affairs,” it speaks of those things that may not be sinful in themselves, but can become so. Before a thing can become an idol, it must first become an entanglement.
Entanglements are very subtle because they do not seem threatening at all. It may be some hobby or other pastime; but like an idol, if it robs you of time well spent with the Lord in any manner, it has become an entanglement. The word appears just this once in Scripture, and refers to something that is weaved or twisted.
When I see this word, I think of my earphones, which I carry in my pocket when I go out. It always happens that when I am ready to use them, they seem to always be tangled in a knot. As I am walking and trying to untangle them, my attentions are fastened on them, and not on what is around me and in front of me. That is how it is with entanglements; they shift our attention away from what is most important. They are distractions and Paul says that since we are soldiers, we should not allow anything to distract us away pleasing our Commander, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christians Are to Be as Christ Is
“This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus” (1 John 4:17).
Here we have all we need to know. We turn to the great apostle John, who tells us that our place in the world, and in society, is to be as He is. The New Living Translation states simply, “…because we live like Jesus here in this world.” This is straight to the point. Our place in society is to be like Jesus; to do as He would do, and to say what He would say.
We understand that none of this is done easily, but as we live daily, empowered by His Spirit, and emboldened by a desire to please Him and fulfill our calling in this life, we cannot only find our place in society, but live it also.
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