THE ADVENT – RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Advent is a season to pause and ponder about the LORD, and all that He is asking us to do, as Christians. The Bible talks about our “rights,” and our responsibilities. I am hesitant to speak about the rights, but eager to speak about the responsibilities. I am hesitant, because, we who were on death row, were sought and saved by the LORD Jesus Christ, and our freedom was bought with His own blood. If so, with what face do I seek my rights with God? I am grateful and thankful for all that I am given – I need no more. 

The Bible talking about God’s goodness, grace and mercy, says, “28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose….32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” – Romans 8:28,32. There ends the matter for me.

As part of our responsibilities, we are to obey the LORD in all things. Christian life is multi-dimensional. Our responsibilities do not start and end with spiritual matters. Christian’s responsibilities include personal life, and responsible behaviour towards everything and everyone, around us.

We live in families; families form societies; and the societies are part of a nation; so our responsibilities as a Christian, include our duties towards our nation. The Bible says – “1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” – Romans 13:1. I see no scope for two opinions on this.

We are in the season of elections, in our state. The Constitution of India gives its citizens, the right to vote. It our right, and at the same time, our responsibility, and our duty. Let us not worry much about the corruption, communalisation, and the criminalisation of politics. They are wrong, and wrong they will be. However, let us choose to vote for someone, who has the greater good of the people in their hearts and minds, and less of an evil, towards anyone. Choose the best among the lot.

Participating in the democratic system of our nation, by casting our vote, honours God greatly. The LORD Jesus speaks clearly about following the laws of the land – “17 Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”…20 And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” 21 They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” – Matthew 22:17,20-21

God called us to be a blessing to all around us, this includes our nation. One of the ways we can bless our nation, is to go out, and vote. Let us do it as a Christian.