Christian Citizenship
Never in the history of the nation has it faced such uncertainty.
Political division within the ruling political parties and a weak leadership, corruption, racism, crime and other social ills endanger civil society. Many top civil servants are charged with corruption and even top politicians are embroiled in scandals and conspiracy. The country faces economic challenges as never before. Inflation has skyrocketed and put an enormous strain on household budgets. Wage rises have not kept up with rising costs of living, business is slow and many Malaysians don’t feel optimistic about their country’s future.
While the new state governments under Pakatan Rakyat, especially in Penang, have made progress in exposing corruption, and their leaders have received death threats, they are limited in their ability to stimulate substantial economic growth without cooperation from the Federal government which unfortunately has placed politics before the people’s welfare. It is not unknown for opposition-ruled states and electorates to be neglected. This of course is an unconstitutional abuse of power and has become the norm despite the protests of the impotent opposition until recent times.
PM Abdullah Ahmed Badawi has stated his intention to leave office in two years time. His promise of eradicating poverty like his earlier declaration of war against corruption sounds like an old record caught in a groove. If more than thirty years of the New Economic Policy has not eradicated poverty what makes PM Abdullah think he can achieve it in two? It is incredible that leaders can make such spurious claims and even more ridiculous for them to think the public will swallow it hook, line and sinker?
In the face of such circumstances how then shall God’s people respond?
It is not what you or I think that ultimately matters but what the Bible teaches and how Christians act. I can’t read the Bible without getting the clear and authorative message that God wants his people to be engaged in influencing their societies where they are and not be aloof because of ignorance, apathy or fear. One can’t be too heavenly-minded to be of no earthly use, for there are those who think it wrong to be involved in earthly affairs. They only need to observe the life of Jesus to realise how engaged he was with those in the community from a remorseful prostitute to the religious and administrative authorities.
Prophet Jeremiah wrote to the Jews in exile in Babylon to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city” in which they lived and to also “pray to the Lord “ for its prosperity because they will also receive the benefits that result. Jeremiah 29:7. There are similar injunctions in the Bible for Christians to benefit their communities. After all Christians are saved sinners prepared for doing good works. They are the light of the world, the salt of the earth and God uses such terms to symbolize their utility to their societies. Prayer should not be an excuse for abandonment or neglect of the societies they live in. We know of the prayer hand. What about prayer and…? We are to pray and act.
God never means for Christians to be passive spectators but active do-gooders.
While Hebrews 11:16 teaches about our heavenly citizenship the litany of faithful Christians it describes reminds us to be useful where we are. The heroes of faith mentioned in Hebrews 11 is a lesson for us all to be engaged in a variety of vocations and exploits. It is encouraging to note that several Christians are now in active politics and some hold high office. Theirs will be to serve the people and their servanthood will restore the true meaning of public service, something rarely observed for a long time.
Stephen Timms is a minister in the British Labour Cabinet and a committed Christian. On Christian Citizenship he says we have a “dual citizenship.” By this he means we belong to a kingdom of this world and a kingdom of heaven. “Living in a democracy brings the responsibility to play our part in helping organise society. Christians ought to be involved in public life, if for no other reason than to provide a witness to the non-Christians involved. What does it say about our faith if we leave all the hard work of shaping our society and striving for a better world for others to get on with?“
From time to time we read and hear of complaints against Christian leaders for staying mum on disturbing trends in the community. Earlier today I received an email lamenting this very fact. While pastors and leaders of Christian organizations may not want to involve their groups there is nothing to prevent them getting together with others to make a public statement. They need not be partisan or political but they must provide moral and spiritual leadership. It is a fallacy to think that the role of Christian leaders is confined in churches.
The late Roman Catholic Cardinal Sin in Manila was a strong critic of the late President Marcos and instrumental in his downfall. Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu opposed the racist South African government and often speaks out against injustice. Malaysian Christian leaders have much to learn that Christianity does not merely thrive within the walls of the building but is a living church in a needy world.
Christians must learn to work together and influence their country for good. Christian leaders need to equp themselves in relating with the media and others outside their Christian circles otherwise they will be marginalised. They must learn to show solidarity in issues of common concern and go out of their comfort zones to come to the aid of the unjustly treated. They must avoid the temptation to placate temporal powers that do wrong or be seduced by their awards and accolades.
It is in the character of their citizenship that Christians can lead society. There is a sorry decline in public morals and the standards of governance. When those who are supposed to be stewards and administrators of law and order and justice do the opposite and fail in their roles and responsibilities it behooves Christians to be concerned and involved. The alternative can be far worse.
Christian citizenship is about taking our call seriously, characterising Christ in the community by caring about what happens to our country and committing ourselves to a course of action in prayer and purpose.
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