Civility Week 48, Nov. 25, 2012

Wherever the Bible has been consistently applied it has dramatically changed the civilization and culture of those who have accepted its teaching. No other book has ever so dramatically changed the individual lives and society in general.  John Fl. Walvoord

   There is no mistaking, no matter what our media or portions of our government lead us to believe, Christianity has brought civilization to America.  Other belief systems and faiths may do that too, but I say Christianity first and foremost because one of the main tenets of our faith as Christians is to love one another.  We are called as Christians to first love each other, and then settle our differences. 

   The rules of a civilized nation depend upon this Christian tenet of loving each other and it’s this belief in this “rule” that creates a civilized society.  It’s what keeps us from lawlessness, it helps create rules that protect people, especially those who cannot protect themselves.

   A civilized society believes in putting others first. This is why our nation has always been so good about reaching out to help the poor, those hurt or displaced by tragedy or disaster. It’s Christianity that preaches and teaches protecting women and children, why Christian men put themselves between their families and danger, why a Christian mother will go to any length to protect her child.

   If you read or watch too much of the media, you would begin to worry about civilization in our country. But I would admonish you to take a closer look. Come to our church, our food pantry, our church services. We are a helping religion.  Christianity builds in each of us a want, no, a need to put others first, to want to help.  Rare is the case where you see someone shrink away from a task at hand when they see a true need. Look at the outpouring of helpful hands after natural disasters, the number of people who volunteer as firemen, who work as nurses, etc. 

   Christians have always been persecuted. If you look at their true nature you would have to scratch your head and wonder why, why do people make fun or despise Christian acting people? Are they worried about becoming too civilized?  Christianity is a wake up call to look inside ourselves, to not become selfish, self centered.  Is that what persecutors are afraid of? Looking inside themselves?

   So we are called to fight the good fight, keep the faith and be civil doing it!