Who's Responsible Anyhow?

"Today's Devotion" For August 17, 2005

Read: Matthew 5:13-16; Psalm 33

WHO'S RESPONSIBLE ANYHOW?

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance." (Ps. 33:12)

I'm on a "responsibility kick." It seems wherever I look these days someone's blaming someone else for their troubles, the nation's troubles, and the world's troubles. In the local newspaper's editorial perspectives section this morning the prevailing theme had more to do with who’s at fault than finding reasonable solutions to issues facing the nation. Particularly "enlightening" was a column by a national, syndicated columnist for the St. Petersburg Times (I'm not mentioning her name - I don't want to give her more play) which, at least in the local paper, was titled, "Who's really hurting America?" The article is in response to a new book by conservative author and journalist, Bernard Goldberg, titled, "100 People Who Are Screwing Up America (and Al Franken is No. 37)" (I know. I know. I’m giving his name – bear with me, he’s the author of a titled work for crying out loud). In his book, Goldberg has a laundry list of "recognized liberal" celebrities and other people who he claims are responsible for the declining "state of the union." The columnist, in response, names her own list - hers being a list of "recognized conservatives" - whom she claims are "screwing up America." And so the battle continues.

What troubles me about each of these writers' perspectives is their insistence on playing the "blame game." Is America in trouble? Depending on your perspective, Yes! If you're a convicted "conservative" you'd probably say, "Yes! And it's the fault of the liberals." If you're a convicted "liberal" you'd probably say, "Yes! and it's the fault of the conservatives." Perhaps, however, the Christian's answer to such a question might, more accurately be, "Yes! And it's my responsibility."

If America, or any nation for that matter, has a problem, it's that God is not at the center of its existence. I'm not advocating a "state sponsored religion" or a "theocracy." God hasn't chosen that form of government for us. He has, however, informed us that every government is ordained by Him for the purpose of good order and the care of the citizenry (cf. Rom. 13). As His redeemed children in Christ, He calls upon us to be obedient to the "higher powers" and to make a positive difference in the life of the nation. As Jesus notes in His Sermon on the Mount (cf. Mt. 5:13-16), we are called, as His disciples, to be the "seasoning," the "focal point," and the bringers of His "light" to our neighbors, our cities, our states, the nation, and the world. We are called to share the love of God in Jesus Christ with everyone, to live it in our lives, and to work to make a difference in all areas of our nation and world.

The Psalmist's words, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Ps. 33:12), cuts right to the heart of the issue before us. If our nation, or any nation, is "screwed up" the real question is "Why?" not "Who?" Sin is the one constant that continues to destroy relationships, beginning with humanity's relationship with God, moving on to our relationships with others, and, finally, to our stewardship, or lack thereof, of the resources of the earth God has created and given to humanity for the good of all. When God takes a "back seat" to how a nation thinks, how it deals with others, and how it addresses its problems, challenges, and the sin in its midst, then it will be "screwed up." Of that there can be no doubt.

So, what do we do about it? I know this is beginning to sound like an "editorial," or maybe even a "sermon," but bear with me. We, God's beloved, redeemed, restored, and forgiven children in Jesus Christ, have been called out of the darkness of Sin and unbelief to a singular purpose - to make a difference in the world as ambassadors for Christ and witnesses to God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness for all mankind. While Paul writes in I Thessalonians 4:11 (which we read yesterday) that we should "make it y(our) ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind y(our) own business..." he doesn't mean that we shouldn't speak up for what's right, oppose that which is evil, or fail to share God's Word and His truth with those around us. He calls us to live our lives in a way that people look at us with respect and seek to know why we live and act the way we do - respecting others, even when we don't agree with them, and loving them as we love ourselves.

As God's people in Jesus Christ we have a powerful call from God to be the "salt of the earth," the seasoning that makes the world "savory" to Him so that His wrath toward Sin is stayed and His patience continues so that more might return to His loving arms. Jesus tells us, as His disciples, that we are "the light of the world" through whom the Spirit shines the light of God's grace and mercy to a fallen humanity. Our Lord calls His disciples, you and me, "a city set on a hill" which can't be hidden and which stands as a "landmark" to God's call to repentance and faith. According to our Lord Jesus Christ, the answer to the question at the head of today's devotion, "Who's responsible anyhow?" is "I am" - each of us personally and all of us collectively as disciples of Jesus Christ. Thank God that we have such a noble purpose and wonderful calling from Him who loves us and gave Himself for us.

Prayer: Father, newspaper columnists and pundits across the nation are constantly looking for someone to blame for the "state of the nation." Yet, in Your Word, You clearly reveal that no nation can be blessed if You are not the Lord of its existence. You have called me and all your people to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Through His perfect obedience and His suffering, death, and resurrection You have redeemed, restored, and forgiven me and the whole world. Yet, because of the power of Sin, there are too many that don't yet know Your forgiveness and love in Christ. The state of the nation and the world is clear evidence of that reality. If anyone can really be said to be "hurting America," it would be me when I fail to live for You and share Jesus. Father, strengthen my faith and my service to You that I may live each day with boldness of purpose, sharing Christ in my words and deeds, and, by my example, make a difference in the lives of all whom I touch. In Jesus' precious name I pray. Amen.
******************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.