Things We Christians Can Do To Help Our Country (Part 1)

Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. (Jeremiah 29:7, NIV)

When God exiled the Jews to Babylon, He commanded them to “seek the peace and prosperity of the city”. In other words, they must pray and work hard for the good of that country even if it conquered and enslaved them. For, as the Contemporary English Version has translated it: “The more successful that nation is, the better off you will be.”

Now we are foreigners in this world because “our citizenship is in heaven.” (Philippians 3:20a, NIV) That’s why I believe we have the same mandate just like that of the Jews in Babylon. Thus, let me share and comment on what I heard over a radio commentary about a booklet entitled “Things You Can Do To Help Our Country.” Remember that good Christians ought to be good citizens.

First, obey traffic rules. We Filipinos are famous for our driving. We even joke that we practice “defensive” driving. But we qualify defensive by saying, “The best defense is a good offense.” Just imagine you are visiting Makati Gospel Church for the first time in response to a flyer. You are peacefully cruising with your family along EDSA. Suddenly, without warning, a car swerved in front of you. It almost hit you. You floored the brakes. Your blood pressure shot up! Though still shaken, you went to MGC. Then you got the shock of your life. You saw that same car turning towards the church building. Would you still attend MGC? You may say, “That’s an extreme example!” Maybe, but can people say we are followers of Christ when they observe our road manners?

Second, throw your trash properly. This includes recycling and segregating. Moses wrote a lot of instructions on hygiene. It is interesting that God even commanded Moses to have a latrine outside the camp (See Deuteronomy 23:12-14). Though it refers to ceremonial cleanness, this shows that sanitation is also important to God. It gives a fresh insight on the saying: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”

Some of these things may sound simple or trivial to you. But if we can’t be trusted with small things, we can’t be trusted with big things.

Brethren, let us seek the prosperity and peace of the Philippines!

(TO BE CONTINUED)

Comments

  1. Anonymous7:00 PM

    Thanks! It's a good reminder that we should follow rules on or off
    cam.
    :)

    Very tempting to just make an easy U turn in a no U turn place when
    there are no cops around

    ReplyDelete

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