The Christian is a good citizen. He has a positive influence in his community. Ideally, he exercises self-control, demonstrates love, and befriends and aids men of all color and station In life (Galatians 5:22, 23 and Luke 10:37). He shares the message of a life of deep joy and abiding peace In Christ. His life stands in contrast to the corrupting influence of some who traffic in dope, pornography, hate and strife. He stands apart from the masses who vegetate in their community, and is an active, moral agent for good. He corrupts neither by design nor by the passive tolerance of evil (Romans 12:21; 13:9, 10). The Christian is a good citizen. He recognizes that the rule of man, though clearly inferior to the incomparable rule of God in his life, must be observed or chaos and anarchy will replace the lesser evil of organized human rule. He renders unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s (Matthew 22:15-22), knowing that today’s Caesar may be either the elected official of a nation or the self-proclaimed dictator of a country. Instead of rioting and destroying property and what order may exist in a nation to achieve his political desires, he renders “ . . . to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7). But, he re mains the active citizen. He serves his Lord and his fellow man. And he stands against his political leaders only when they ask him to forsake his Lord and the clearly stated precepts of Scripture (Acts 5:29).
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