Biblical Conduct - Part 16 Application for America (Part 2)
By Ben Quine
**This article is part of a series written by Ben Quine that takes us through the whole of Scripture to discover what God has to say about how we as believers in Jesus Christ should conduct ourselves both inside the church and outside in our public and private lives. You will discover that the Word of God has much to say about our conduct.
The children fastened their eyes upon their bit of candle and watched it melt slowly and pitilessly away; saw the half inch of wick stand alone at last; saw the feeble flame rise and fall, climb the thin column of smoke, linger at its top a moment, and then—the horror of utter darkness reigned!
How long afterward it was that Becky came to a slow consciousness that she was crying in Tom’s arms, neither could tell… He tried to get Becky to talk, but her sorrows were too oppressive, all her hopes were gone. Tom said that they must have been missed long ago, and no doubt the search was going on. He would shout and maybe someone would come. He tried it; but in the darkness the distant echoes sounded so hideously that he tried it no more. (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, by Mark Twain)
This passage describes the moment when, hopelessly lost in the cave, Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher witness their last candle die away. They are surrounded by complete and utter darkness, a darkness that compounded their peril and forced despair upon the children. Without light there could be no hope of escape…
Jesus instructed his followers to be salt and light because a silent Church and silent Christians spell disaster for any culture. If the salt and light are removed, despair, darkness, and death will reign in the real world today, just as they did in the fictional Tom Sawyer cave of the 1840s.
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)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2:11-15)
Living a life of godly conduct requires shining before others. It means being a life-giving light. It means renouncing ungodliness — not on our own effort, but through sanctification by the Holy Spirit, and producing His fruit. It means boldly declaring God’s principles on every topic, exhorting, and rebuking with all authority, to help rescue a dying world.
Living a life of godly conduct includes following the examples of our Biblical role models. It means that, like Joseph, we set an example by our upright character, calling sin by its real name, even when it costs us personally to do so. Like Paul and Stephen, we must speak the truth, even when it is offensive to do so. Like Mordecai, Daniel, and John the Baptist, we must show love to the culture by championing truth into law and declaring truth to government officials.
Living a life of godly conduct means we must encourage the teaching of biblical principles in our schools and churches. Since the Biblical Worldview brings life and peace, promoting it is one of the most loving things you can do for your neighbors and your country!
And we must understand that our American Founders wanted us to be personally engaged in our government:
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (US Constitution)
“We the People” were given the power in America so that we could use that power, in love, for the betterment of others.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (Bill of Rights, Amendment I)
Our Founding Fathers recognized the importance of never extinguishing the light. This is why they insisted on freedom of religion and freedom of speech as the first of the peoples’ rights that government has no authority to touch.
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. (Romans 13:1)
God wants us to obey the laws of our country (as long as we don’t have to break His law in order to do so). But in America, a Christian’s role is even more significant. Our governing authority is the US Constitution, and it establishes the people as the foundation and guides for our government. This means that we have the responsibility to pray for our leaders, to share truth with our friends and neighbors, to vote, to direct our elected officials and hold them accountable, and even to run for office ourselves.
If we are not doing these things — we are rebelling against our governing authority!
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. (Proverbs 29:2)
Think about this verse for a minute: when the wicked rule, the people groan. When our family, our neighbors, or our culture are groaning, if we love them, we cannot just walk past them, leaving them to suffer. It is an incredible blessing that, in this country, we have the opportunity to evaluate our leaders, and when they are not fulfilling their God-given role of enacting justice, we can peacefully remove them by voting for godly leaders instead.
So starting right now, apply biblical principles to government. Work for free and fair elections. Vote for godly leaders. Run for office. Enact biblical principles into law. Support freedom of speech and religion. If you are not doing these things, you are not seeking justice, loving your neighbor, or caring for the weak (Micah 6:8, James 1:27).
If we, as individual Christians, pastors, or churches choose inaction, or if we choose to only speak about a select few of the topics covered in Scripture, darkness and death for the culture will follow.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (James 3:13)
Our culture desperately needs Jesus and the healing that comes from the Gospel, so never let culture silence you or your good works.
Pray. Pray for God to act in our time. Pray for our country and for God to use you to make a difference. Start every day by asking the Holy Spirit to fill you, direct you, and create His character in you:
“Good morning, Lord. I need you today! Take my life and let it be consecrated to you. Transform me from the inside-out; without you I can do nothing, so I need you to create your fruit in my life. Please help me to rely on you every minute of the day, and make me the person you want me to be!”
Continue to pray this throughout the day, submitting every need and every situation to Him (I Thessalonians 5:17, Nehemiah 2:4).
Boldly speak God’s truth. Every conversation counts! Every act of love counts! It may not seem like much, but simply obey God right where you are. Say, “Yes!” in obedience to Him, and He will use you powerfully.
This is wisdom: Do not fear men. Do what is right no matter what. Join with other believers to make an impact in your city, state, and country. Love God’s Word and teach the whole counsel of God. Wake up your church. Vote godly men and women into office. Then you will be salt and light. Live in faithful, bold obedience to God, and you will be a life-giving blessing to those around you!