There are no shortages of organizations or activities to draw and hold our attention. In several conversations today I have been reminded how important our choices are when we attempt to serve God. What are organizations top your priority list? As a child in the Cub Scouts, I pledged to do my best to do my duty for God and my country. (I had a short lived Scouting career.) As a teacher for 19 years, the day began with the Pledge of Allegiance (to the American Flag) and a moment of silence (We dare not call it Prayer). As a Christian, husband, and church leader what activities deserve my time and attention?
To answer that question, it’s important to examine a few of God’s priorities. Family, church and community are the first institutions that come to mind. The Bible is our source for instructions on how to be a family. The process goes something like this: 1. Adults, one male and one female are joined together and leave the comfort and security of their family homes. 2. That couple brings children into the world and has the responsibility to teach those children about God. 3. Those children love and honor their parents, grow up serving God, and eventually repeat the process. (Note: I am not saying every couple must have children. I am not judging the value or quality of any family. I am stating what I see as the Biblical pattern)
Genesis 2:24 “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” (NIV)
Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” (KJV)
In the process of living a Christian life, bringing up godly children, and evangelizing the world, the church begins to take shape. As I see it, God established the family first; however, to assist the family He created the church. God’s church consists of a five-part ministry team all working together to achieve a three part goal.
The church was established to unite God’s people by teaching the doctrines of faith, equipping Christians for service, “Ministry”, within the community, offering a place for corporate worship.
Hebrews 10:23-25 “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (KJV)
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” ( KJV)
With the foundations of the family and church in place, allow me to say, “God is not anti-government.” According to the Bible, God established the governments among men to bring about His will. He builds them up and brings them down in His timeframe to accomplish His cosmic, universal, plan.
Romans 13:1 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” (NASB)
2 Peter 2:10 “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.” (KJV)
Proverbs 28:2 “When there is moral rot within a nation, its government topples easily. But wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability.” (NLT)
God values the organizations He established. Each of these three organizations under His leadership will be blessed. The resulting blessing produces a prosperous nation. The question we should ask is: Are we worthy of that blessing? Do our priorities line up with God’s?
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