The Church’s Influence on Society

GOLDEN TEXT: “And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.” —Titus 3:14

MATTHEW 5:13-16

THOSE who selected the caption for this lesson probably thought of the “church” as being represented in the great and imposing denominational institutions of our day. In this case, it could be said that the “church” does exert a wholesome, moral influence in human society. They serve a good purpose as social centers where the young and the old may meet and co-operate in community betterment. But this is not the true church of the living God, composed of those whose names are written in heaven.

This true “church” of the New Testament is given little or no recognition in the world, and her influence over human society is extremely small. Jesus said to the first members of this church, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” (John 16:33) John wrote, “The world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” (I John3:1) Certainly those who are not recognized, and frequently persecuted by the world, cannot exert much influence over the present social order.

Nor is this view out of harmony with Jesus’ statements to his disciples that they were to be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world.” Throughout the Gospel age and in the so-called civilized world, the ethical teachings of the Bible, as reflected through his disciples slowed down to some extent the headlong rush of the people over the “broad road” of sin and destruction. The Ten Commandments, for example, constitute the basis of justice in the laws of most countries in the so-called “free world” of today. However, human selfishness and lust are destroying these foundations, with the result that morality is breaking down all around us.

Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” The only true light in the world is that which shines out from the Lord’s consecrated people. A few recognize this light and glorify God, but the vast majority do not. It is as true now as it was in Jesus’ day that the darkness hateth the light.—John 3:19,20

I THESSALONIANS 5:4-8

This passage is an admonition to Christians, and has no relationship to their possible influence over world society, except that a Christian’s example should always be a wholesome, righteous one. We are, Paul writes, the “children of the day.” The reference here is to the glorious day of Christ’s kingdom when righteousness will fill the earth. Being of that “day” we should “walk” accordingly: that is, as though we were already living in that time.

“Let us not sleep, as do others,” Paul continues. Here the word “sleep” is used to describe spiritual lethargy.

Paul speaks of putting on the “breastplate of faith and love, and for an helmet, the hop of salvation.” In Ephesians 6:10-18 Paul admonishes us to put on the “whole armor of God,” and he identifies each piece of that amour, which includes the “breastplate” and the “helmet.” Briefly stated, these various parts of the Christian’s armor” represent different aspects and applications of the truth; the truth, that is, of the divine plan, which the Lord has given to his people for their protection in this “evil day”.

JAMES 2:14-17

It is not enough to say that we accept Christ and believe the truth. In order to be valid, our belief must be proved. For example, Jesus admonished us to let our light shine. If we believe that we have the light we will prove our devotion to it by obeying Jesus’ admonition.

In this lesson James, in his illustration, reminds us that we have a certain responsibility with respect to the physical needs of our brethren. In this area also it is essential, if we are to maintain the Lord’s favor, to demonstrate our faith by our works.

Our Golden Text is particularly in keeping with this aspect of the lesson. The Revised Standard version translation of this test seems a little clearer. We quote; “And let our people learn to apply themselves to good deeds, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not to be unfruitful.—Titus 3:14

Instead of learning to “maintain good works,” as the King James Version reads, the marginal translation says, “profess honest trades.” Whichever wording we use the thought seems clear that one of the unselfish motives in our needed earthly occupations should be the use of some of our earnings, if the opportunity arises, to give succor to those who may need our help.

QUESTIONS

Do the true followers of Jesus exercise our influence over world society?

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

What does it mean to be “children of the day?”

What is the “armor of God?”

How do we show our faith by our works?

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