Our Civic Duty as Good Citizens

Our Civic Duty as Good Citizens
By Tommy Franks

Let us start with a little humor. Will Rogers once said, “The more you read and observe about Politics, the more you have to admit that each party is worse than the other. The one that's out always looks the best. Because our democracy is run by the people, we are the only nation in the world that has to keep a government four years, no matter what it does. Our constitution protects aliens, drunks and U.S. Senators. The income tax has made more liars out of the American people than golf has.”

Someone once said, “Evil prevails when good men do nothing.”

Some American religious cultures teach their followers NOT to vote or have anything to do with our government…such as serving in the military service or running for public office. Fact: This is quite ironic since the very government they refuse to defend…gives them the religious freedom to do so. As good citizens, is it necessary to pay taxes? Question: What does the Bible say?

What is our civic duty to the government and to the authorities as Christians? What about voting, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, serving in the military, paying taxes, and running for civic offices? Fact: All people will be judged by God's Word…His revealed Will. Let us take a look at what His Will says. As Americans, are we a part of a governed democratic society? Are we supposed to obey civil authorities?

Many Americans opposed the Persian Gulf War in 1991. Many were accused of treason and being un-American if they opposed the war. Many more oppose the current war in Iraq. Blind patriotism is not the answer. A difference of opinion about government policy or refusal to support the government in its agenda for war…does not make one a traitor or un-American. We are NOT a totalitarian government where one is considered a traitor for his/her opposition to the National policies concerning war. Whatever one chooses to do regarding his Christian duty to fight for his country must be led by the Holy Spirit and the individual’s conscience.
We must admit as mere men and women, we do not fully understand God's plan in world conflicts. Remember, God is Sovereign in world events. God's will in global dealings and purposes is beyond our thoughts and knowledge base at times.
Questions: Does patriotism always require that we take up arms to kill in order to defend some country's way of life? Does patriotism mean that we go to war to preserve some country’s God-given liberties? Sometimes, we fail to understand the vital principle of God's Sovereignty in the affairs of men and nations. Some Christians assume without question that the nation which confronts some tyrant with military force is acting with just cause and even God's blessing. Is this true? You be the judge!

What is true patriotism? I believe it is the love of God and people and not necessarily the love of some governmental system. Love for people compels us to minister God's grace and mercy. Whether the government is a democratic form of rule, dictatorship, communist, monarchy, or some other form of government… governments normally exist for their own benefit. This world system is run by imperfect men and women. Many do not have a clue about Christianity. Within the world system, governments normally do not look out for the welfare of the people. However, they do look out for their own welfare. Hence, blind patriotism is not the answer.Take a look at this scenario for a moment: Normally, Americans (Christians and non-Christians) go to war against other people because their governments order them to. In 1991, we went to war against one Moslem dictatorship in order to defend two other Moslem slave-holding states. Our own chaplains could not even wear crosses. Bibles could not be mailed to our servicemen. Our pilots bombed churches out of existence, but could not bomb the mosques where murderers and terrorists took refuge.
I understand the philosophy of not sitting idly by. We must do what we can to stop tyrants. It is natural to think this way; however, can any tyrant go further than God allows him to go? No.
As Christians, we must pray. Scripture commands us to pray for our leaders. As good citizens, we need to abide by the laws of our nation…and not speak evil of our leaders and dignitaries. This does not mean we cannot expose ungodliness or refuse to obey laws that conflict with God's laws. Let me reiterate…We are strangers and pilgrims on Planet Earth. Our citizenship is in heaven. Heaven must be our focus of patriotic fervor.

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (Rom.12:1-7).

And He (Christ) said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Mt.22:21). In other words, “Do what you have to do as a citizen, and do what you have to do as a Christian". Nowhere does Jesus teach against paying taxes or against voting or serving in the military.

“Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover‑up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, and honor the king” (1 Pet.2:13-17).

Caveat: On the contrary, we are NOT to give blind allegiance to any government. When the government commands us or requires us to do something that violates God's law, we are to respectfully refuse to comply. For example, in Acts 5, the Scripture says, “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name…Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:28-29).

As Christians, we should be the very best of society…the most honest, the most loyal, and the most obedient (within the boundaries of God's Word). We should be examples and citizen models…productive, hard working, tax paying citizens.

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mat.5:14-16).

Questions: Should we vote? Should we pay taxes? Should we obey the law? Should we serve and defend our country? You alone in your heart and conscience…must answer these questions. Read on…

Some people advocate that each young American should serve our country in some voluntary service capacity; i.e., city, state, Federal government, Peace Corps, VISTA, or military. Many European countries currently require at least an 18 month military term for their males. What are your thoughts?

Years ago, there was a certain young man who lived in Zolfo Springs, Florida. His religious upbringing taught him that it was wrong to go into the military because he just might have to kill someone someday in combat. Consequently, he became a “conscientious objector” and wrote the Selective Service Board and informed them of his decision. This was during the time of the “draft”. As time went on…This young teenager decided to study the Scripture for himself. The first verse he dissected (exegeted) was Exodus 20:13, “Thou shalt not kill.” After further study, he realized that this verse was translated “You shall not murder.” It had nothing to do with defending one’s country. He also realized that the doctrine that he had been taught was flawed. Hence, he then retracted his conscientious objector status and joined the US Air Force during the Viet Nam conflict…in order to serve his country in a military and service roll. He volunteered for Nam, but the Air Force in their wisdom…sent him to hardship places like France, Germany, and England. He ended his Air Force career at Grand Forks AFB in 1968…“saw the light” and went into the Army to travel to more exotic places like Korea, Hawaii, Japan, New Jersey, Fort Jackson, Stuttgart, Parmesans, Heidelberg, Fort Leonard Wood, Ft Gordon, Pearl Harbor, Fort Benning, and Fort Belvoir. Incidentally, he never had to kill anyone during his entire military career. Who was this free-thinking and open-minded one? That would be me. Cheers!