But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. – 1 Peter 2:9-10.
INTRODUCTION
Jesus not only affects our private life, but our public life as well. As Christ’s followers we can recover that dimension of the gospel today. We can discover how to live out our faith in visible, public ways, as the “people of God”, in order to powerfully impact our culture. But in doing so we need to consider:
How does faith impact the world?
It helps to understand how our world operates. We can start by identifying three components of the “global village” in which we live and work.
1. The workplace, made up businesses, governments, and services.
2. Communities, involving groupings of people such as cities, neighborhoods, and especially families.
3. Systems, such as laws, traditions, and values, that support work and community life.
The world of work and employment can be divided into three general sectors: business, government, and service. Each sector contains thousands of specific occupations, and there is much overlap, gatekeepers, powerbrokers, and other leaders exist from each sector.
The more general, and in many ways less formal, sectors of community and family are represented by the larger horizontal disc that supports the workplace.
The under girding’s of society, systems, are not as easily observed.
They exist conceptually in our minds and hearts, quietly supporting and influencing the institutions, systems, and peoples of the world. Policies, traditions,values, laws, beliefs – like piling sunk deep into the ground under tall buildings – are powerful supports that provide a foundation for society. Some parts of the foundation are permanent in their value.
But sometimes, as illustrated by the decaying columns, the nature of the foundation changes as unreliable supports crumble and the stronger foundations are relied upon even more and fortified if possible.
Behind it all is the sovereign God who sustains creations. Faith in Him enables truly meaningful social progress, as believers move back and forth between gathering for worship and scattering for engagement with the world.
A. How, Then, Does Christian Faith Impact the World?
Three ways that Christ’s message impacts our world are:
1.Through followers of Christ. These are individuals like you and me with an active faith who live out the gospel and proclaim it to the world through:
i. Sharing Christ by word and deed in our relationships and lifestyles;
ii. The proper handling of responsibilities and resources in our personal possession;
iii. Informal networks of friendships, care groups, and guilds;
iv. Active participation in the structures of society.
v. Recognized leaders who influence others in the society.
2. Through Christian institutions and structures. In many cultures, believers have the privilege of owning or controlling organizations that present the gospel and its implications to the society. Some of these include;
i. Local churches, whose members and attenders can influence the larger community;
ii. Service organizations that render human aid such as medical care, education, and help to the poor;
iii. Media outlets such as magazines, radio and televisions stations, and publishing houses.
3. Through lobbying and advocacy. Here Christians attempt to influence the values of society and the people and institutions that determine them.
This can mean either affirming support for beliefs with which Christians agree or restraining and resisting influences that seem opposed to scripture. Christian advocacy might include;
i. Voting;
ii. Running for office or supporting candidates and legislation;
iii. Lobbying leaders and institutions to affect policies, procedures, and activities;
iv. Pressing for business and community development that benefits people and their surroundings;
v. Demonstrating publicly for or against various activities;
vi. Taking legal action.
CONCLUSION
People often base their self-concept on their accomplishments. But our relationship with Christ is far more important than our jobs, successes, wealth or knowledge. We have been chosen by God as His very own, and we have been called to represent Him to others.
Let’s remember that our value comes from being children of God, not from our achievements. We have worth because of what God does, not because of what we do.
We see that faith impacts more than just individuals. Jesus used images such as salt,light,leaven and seeds to describe His kingdom’s effect on the world.His gospel not only transforms persons but also institutions and value structures that under grid society.
Evil and sin certainly pervade the world. In response, Jesus has sent us into world to have influence for His sake. ‘He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’ -Mark 16:15.
Through our work, our families, our prayers for the world and its leaders, our activities as good citizens, and our involvement in the structures of society, we can present Christ’s message and have great impact on a world that needs Him now more than ever.
Remain Blessed!
Please continue to join us on Asempa 94.7 FM – Sundays 5.30 am., Sunny 88.7 FM – Tuesdays 5:30 am; and YFM 107.9 – Sundays 6.30am; for our Radio Bible Study as well as Sunny FM 88.7 FM every Sunday at 3:30 pm. for Hymn and their Stories.
