The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-09-11

Christian cisixsnship and Co
operation: Rom. I3:l.lo. ! Ger.
3:4-s, Gal. 5:I3.Is
BY RALPH ROGERS
In the lesson today Paul is deal
ing with Christian citizenship and
cooperation. It is inferred there
fore, that there can be other than
Christian citizenship. Could this
be interpreted in modern terms
as q person who takes advantage
of the Fifth Amendment that he
might destroy the very constitu-
ton which protects him? Would
the "other citizenship" be the
criminal, the law-breaker, who
seeks to circumvent the law that
he might profit materially?
Christian citizenship Is based on
love as Paul explained In the
proceeding chapter to the Romans.
Again 1t seems that Paul might
be contradicting himself when he
says, "let every person be SUBJ
ject to the governing authorities. !"
Christianity was an outlawed re-
ligion In Rome when Paul wrote
this letter. For that reason
Christians were being thrown to
the wild beasts at the very
moment. Paul was a most ef-
fective missionary and he had
converted many TO his faith while
in Rome. How could he urge his
followers to be law-breakers?
The Explanation
Paul did not regard Christianity
az 4 new religion. Theologically
this new religion was the true and
final form Of the ancient faith of
Israel. Jesus based his message
to the world on the Jewish law
and prophets and John sums Il ND
when he said of him, "He came
unto his own and his own receiv-
ed him not" John 1:11) Paul
was within the law when he sought
to persuade others to accept
Christianity.
Paul was not only having diff
ficulty with the Jews in Rome
but he had met opposition else
where. In Corinth he had been
hailed before Gallo the deputy,
by his accusers and this wise
Judge said, eff II is q matter of
wrong or wicked lewdness. !.
reason would that I should bear
with you: But II 1t be a question
of words and names, and Of your
law. look ye TO It," (Acts
1914, 1857.
The psychopath likes 10 inter.
pref the Book of Church Order
according to his own warped and
twisted reasoning. Instead Of &C.
cepting the Interpretation of sea-
soned and experienced church.
men, he having been q church
tramp, creates a storm which dis
rupts a well organized institution
and alienates good people and
children from faith in and sup
port OF the church. Paul had
found some such trouble-makers
In his churches and found It
necessary to write scathing letters
as to how TO deal with them.
Background Of Appreciation
Paul was appreciative Of the
power Of authority. In his travels
he had found good roads, protec-
ton from bandits and robbers.
assistance In time of distress.
Finally when It seemed that his
enemies were about to succeed
in their treacherous scheme to de-
stroy him, he appealed to Rome.
Paul had good reason to be ap-
preciative Of the authority and
power Of Rome.
Paul apparently knew Of. the
rebellious tendencies Of the Christ
ians in Rome. He knew that il
was useless to oppose the authori-
ties for they could make this work
most difficult. There was work
to be done and as Paul directed
the activities Of the church, he
knew that through love and Co
operation Christianity could make
more rapid progress. Jesus had
advised, Render unto Caesar the
things which are Caesars" (Mat.
22:21) The criminal, the gangster,
the gambler, lives in fear of the
law which Is designed to protect
society. Bishop Moule says.
"Civil order is not only q desir.
able thing, but divine, II Is the
will of God"
In the same manner we should
appreciate the protection and the
service Of our government. That
they might function we should
follow PauPs advice and paw our
taxes, for the government servants
are ministers Of God. The Chris
tan citizen co-operates with his
government by supporting il
They are our elected servants and