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THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NES S
January, 1942
what is a Christian’s position? There is a consciousness that we are “stran gers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 11:13) whose faces are set toward “a better country, that is, a heavenly” (Heb. 11:16), but for testimony’s sake we have a part to play in this present world. God’s Word clearly sets forth that we must render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s. For Those Who Have Topics I. A CHRISTIAN LOVES HIS COUN TRY BECAUSE THE 'POWERS THAT BE ARE ORDAINED OF GOD. Romans 13:1 says: “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.” God has ordained government (though we do not say He is pleased with corrupt practices or bloodthirsty greed and lust), for Daniel 2:21 tells us: “And he changeth the times and seasons: he removeth Rings, and set- teth up kings.” The God whom we love and wor ship is an oinnipotent God. His power is limitless! Consider Isaiah 40:12: “Who hath measured the waters In the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the moun tains in scales, and the hills in a bal ance?” (cf. also Psa. 33:6-9). Is it any wonder, then, that it is written in Isaiah 40: 15: “Behold, the nations- are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the bal ance” ? II. A CHRISTIAN LOVES HIS COUN TRY BECAUSE IT IS GOD’S WILL THAT WE BE SUBJECT. Romans 13:1-5 makes some very clear statements on this subject, as does also 1 Peter 2:13-16. A submis sion unto every ordinance “for the Lord’s sake” puts a new light upon the question of obeying laws. It is worthy" of note that in verse 17 of this same chapter the exhortation “Honor the king” was given. The king—the emperor—at that time was Nero and certainly was not sympa thetic with Christians. See also Titus 3:1, 2. The answer and example of our Lord concerning the question of pay ing tribute to the government is still ours to follow. How silent His an tagonists became at His masterful re plies! And on the occasion of His sending Peter to the sea to catch a fish and then to take from its mouth a piece of money to pay tribute for Peter and Himself, He answered Peter’s unasked “why” about paying tribute by saying, “Lest we should of fend [or ‘cause to stumble’] . . . give unto them for me and thee” (Matt. 17:24-27). See also Romans 13:6, 7.
III. A CHRISTIAN PROVES HIS LOVE FOR HIS COUNTRY BY PRAYING FOR IT. The leaders of our nation need much prayer for guidance, for wis dom, for strength in days like these. But of even greater importance than the affairs of state is the spiritual welfare, the eternal destiny of men. In recent months a certain popular song has echoed and re-echoed from every part of the country. We as Christians can find no fault with the desire expressed that God should bless America. We [ find that the Psalmist expressed a similar desire in Psalm 144:10-15 for his nation’s de liverance, prosperity, contentment, and happiness. But the Psalmist knew that such a desire could have no fulfillment until God was given His rightful place. “Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.” Our land is filled with people who deliberately ignore God; He has no place in their lives. In stead, worldly pleasure^ and indul gences of all kinds captivate their time and thought. How can we ex pect God to bless our country when we do not, as a nation," meet His con ditions? But God longs to bless. He de spises the sin but yearns over the sin ner. Our great need is to take Him at His Word: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humj>le 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” (2 Chron. 7:14; cf. 1 Pet. 3:12; Psa. 4:3; Lk. 21:34). - IV. A CHRISTIAN PROVES HIS LOVE FOR HIS COUNTRY BY BEARING WITNESS OF THE TRUTH. " 1. Of judgment of sin. “The wicked shall be turned into hell, iand all the nations that for get God” (Psa. 9:17). “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity ; and-1 will cause the ar- rogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible” (Isa. 13:11). (Cf. also Prov. 14:12; Rom. 3:10- 12, 23; 6:23). To warn of danger is certainly a greater kindness than to allow one to plunge headlong into destruc tion. God has called us as Chris tians to speak the truth coura geously (cf, Prov. 24:10-12). 2. Of God’s willingness to save (Isa. 40:1, 2; Micah 7:18; 2 Pet. 3:9). For the Leader Give close attention and study to Daniel’s prayer of intercession as re corded in Daniel 9:3-19.
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Have You Seen the Back Cover?
LET US GIVE THANKS that we have an abundance of food and the Bread of Life and religious liberty. LET US PRAY for the peoples of the war-ridden lands, the homeless, the sick, the suffering, the wounded . . . “We are debtors” to them, for Christ’s sake, therefore LET US REMEMBER them with a special gift at this season and send them the comfort of the Gospel and something for their daily bread. Send all your love-gifts cheerfully to the RUSSIAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY, Inc. Mils M. N. Feiler, Secretary 1844 W. Monroe St., Room 2, Chicago, III. Ask for our free magazine ‘ T h e Friends of Russians."
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