The Christian and the Social Order

GOLDEN TEXT: “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” —Romans 12:21

MATTHEW 5:13-16; ROMANS 13:8-10; I PETER 4:12-16

ALL the scriptures cited for this lesson, “The Christian and the Social Order,” reveal the manner in which a follower of Christ should live while in the world, not how he should attempt to reform human society and call it the kingdom of Christ. Paul called the present era, or age, of man an “evil world [Greek, aion, meaning age],” and explains that Satan, the Devil, is its god or prince.—Gal. 1:4; II Cor. 4:4

While in the world we are surrounded with evil, but we should not allow ourselves to be overcome by it. Instead, we are to overcome the evil, so far as its influence in our lives is concerned, by good. Jesus said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world [Greek, kosmos, meaning order].” (John 16:33) Jesus did not conquer the world, but he did live above its greed and selfishness.

While we are not commissioned to conquer and reform the world, we do have a responsibility to let our light shine in the world. The light of the Gospel shining through the lives of Christians is the only light there is in the world; the only light, that is, which reveals the plan of God. Faithful Christians will let their light shine. They will, in fact, gladly lay down their lives making known the glad tidings of the Lord’s kingdom soon to be manifest throughout the earth.

Jesus also said, “Ye are the salt of the earth.” Salt is a preservative, and the principles of righteousness contained in the Gospel message have, throughout the age, no doubt, exercised a certain restraint on the corrupting tendencies of human society. It is perhaps true that God has prevented the development of anarchy, that his people might have a suitable opportunity to develop and conduct the work assigned to them for this age.

Paul wrote to Timothy to pray for “kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (I Tim. 2:2) Paul did not indicate a desire to avoid persecution from the world. His interest was that conditions might be favorable for the Christian cause, and for Christian growth. A more dramatic presentation of a similar thought is given us in Revelation 7:1-3, where “angels” are commanded to hold back the “four winds” of strife which ultimately will engulf the present social order, until the “servants of God have been sealed in their foreheads.” From this standpoint the servants of God are a real preservative to the world.

The proper manner of our living in the world is summed up by Paul—“Owe no man anything but to love one another.” (Rom. 13:8) In verse 10 he adds, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the Law.” Paul is here discussing the Christian’s relationship to the world. This involves “human relationships,” so Paul properly refers to the commandments of the Law which were designed for this purpose, and affirms that the exercise of love in dealing with those with whom we come in contact in the world will carry out the intent of the whole Law.

We are not to suppose, however, that this proper loving conduct will result in our being appreciated by the world; although the world may, at times, respect what we are, although hating what we believe. Peter wrote, “Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.”—I Pet. 4:12,13

Certainly Jesus fulfilled the Law perfectly in dealing with his fellowmen, yet he suffered at the hands of the world. His suffering was not, however, due to his kindliness toward the world, or his sympathetic understanding of those with whom he came in contact. It was brought on, rather, by the fact that he faithfully proclaimed unpopular truth and exposed popular error. He was the light of the world, he let his light shine, and the darkness of the world hated the light and killed the light-bearer.

We have the privilege of being “partakers of Christ’s sufferings.” In this Peter says we should rejoice, for upon this basis “when his glory shall be revealed” we “may be glad also with exceeding joy.” It is only if we suffer with Christ that we may hope to reign with him. It is only if we die with him that we will have the privilege of living with him.

“But,” Peter continues, “let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.” To suffer for these causes would be tragic. But if we suffer as Christians, and for the reasons that Christ suffered, we have no need to be ashamed, but instead we should glorify God. It is not pleasant to suffer reproach and persecution, but there is a deep compensating joy—a joy that is set before us by the promises of God—which will help us as it did Jesus, to endure the cross.

QUESTIONS

Are Christians commissioned to reform the world?

What is our responsibility toward the world?

In what sense are we the “salt of the earth”?

Explain how love is the fulfilling of the Law.

What was the cause of Jesus’ persecution and death?

Can we be faithful to Christ and expect to escape suffering?

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