OH THE DECAY – CAN WE SMELL THE STENCH?
January 25, 2025NO MATTER WHAT…
January 27, 2025Today is the Republic Day in India. It is different from the Independence Day, that we celebrate on 15 August. On 26 January 1950, the constitution replaced the Government of India Act 1935 as the governing document of India. Hence, we are no more a dominion, but a full fledged republic, free and independent.
Such days of national celebrations are to be celebrated by every Indian, regardless of our creed and other such differences. As Indian Christians, what does the LORD has to say to us, on our responsibilities as a citizen of India? Even before we dig deeper, we ought to realise that The LORD Jesus loves I did, and Indians just as He loves anyone else.
Here under are a few things that we can gather from the Bible, about the heart of God towards Christian responsibilities as citizens of India.
– Every Christian ought to love their motherland, because it is God who placed us here.
– Christians are to pray for the nation’s leaders – 1 Timothy 2:1-4.
– Christians are to pay taxes – Matthew 22:17-21; Romans 13:6-7.
– Christians are to follow the law, submitting to “every authority instituted among men…” – 1 Peter 2:12-17; Romans 13:1-5.
– Christians are to respect the authorities – Romans 13:3-5; Titus 3:1-2.
A detailed view is presented by Paul, reflecting the heart of God, in regards to the nation and our responsibility as its citizens.
1- EVERY HUMAN AUTHORITY is GOD ORDAINED, THEREFORE, RESPECT THEM and OBEY the LAWS
– “1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.” – Romans 13:1-2
2- JUSTICE and EQUALITY FOR ALL is the GOD ORDAINED PURPOSE for the RULERS
– “3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval,” – Romans 13:3
3- EVERY HUMAN AUTHORITY is a SERVANT of GOD
– “4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” – Romans 13:4
4- OBEDIENCE to HUMAN AUTHORITIES is OBEDIENCE to GOD
– “5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” – Romans 13:5
5- CHRISTIANS HAVE to PAY – TAXES, RESPECT and HONOUR
– “6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honour to whom honour is owed.” – Romans 13:6-7
6- LOVE EVERYONE UNCONDITIONALLY, FOR it FULFILLS the LAW
– “8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.” – Romans 13:8
What does our LORD wants from us as Christians and His disciples? The words of our LORD, in Matthew 5:16, as a general principle, sums up our role and the responsibilities as a citizen of India.
– “16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16
God expects us…
– to be faithful and obedient disciples, reflecting Him, in all our thoughts, words and deeds, as Indians.
– to be good and honest citizens of India.
– to obey the law of the land.
– to pray for India, its people, and the leaders.
Even so the LORD help us.
