The Justice of Cities and Nations

GuardianAngelStore · Newbie Joined: Jul 07, 2015 Posts: 40 Status: **Offline**

The Justice of Cities and Nations:

Then he [Jesus] began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented....?But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.? (Matthew 11:20, 24)

The reputation of Sodom was one of wickedness, incivility, violence and immorality. Jesus warned the cities to which He spoke for within their midst were the seeds of evil which would take them beyond the crimes of the inhabitants of Sodom. Each generation should take heed and ask of themselves, in what direction are we turned? We might ask as we read the daily news, where are our cities headed? What is the direction of our nation? What is the conscience of our society and government?

No matter who professes to be their leader, the people have a responsibility for the direction of a nation. How they choose to lead their daily lives impacts all who cross their path. The ripple of each interaction spreads consequences; some good, some bad. The thoughtful heart is likely to spur others to kindness while the dark heart is likely to spread the poison which fills it. If the people do not recognize that each individual has the responsibility to live by what is right and just, the land shall suffer in conflict and immorality. If the people do not respect God and one another, the result shall yield destruction of hearts and the ruin of souls.

The people have a choice. They can choose to be the example for others and live by the blessings of His Word, or they may choose to wander dark paths. We are often tempted to believe that as individuals we are powerless in the face of our government and our society; therefore, we choose to remain silent, we complain in the corners, we wash our hands of the innocents who suffer. If He is within us, though, we must realize we are not powerless, that injustice and evil are not inevitable. Our choice must not be to remain silent, but to bring His light to reveal what is in the darkness.

We have the power to to talk to our family. We have the power to talk to our friends. We have the power to talk to our neighbors. We have the power to join our voices with others. We have the power to write to our media. We have the power to write to our politicians, and if we are of age, we have the power and responsibility to vote.

As we engage those around us, we must do so as He would have us do. To encourage solutions which are right and just, we should raise questions with civility and offer suggestions with humility. If we engage with incivility and arrogance, we set no examples, we encourage no one, we only give opportunity for our words and actions to be twisted against us. Should we be faced with persecution for seeking to speak, we must be prepared to respond thoughtfully, with gentleness and reverence, praying for the Holy Spirit to guide us, so that when we are maligned, those who defame our faith in His Word may themselves be put to shame (1 Peter 3:16).

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)