Are You Using America for Christ? One Biblical Reason to Vote, Part Two
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is getting ready to be beaten by the Romans as a means of informational gathering. Why were the Romans getting ready to do this? The reason was Paul's presence in Jerusalem was causing the whole city to go into an uproar. Why? Because Paul spoke of Jesus Christ and God reaching out to the non Jewish people (Gentiles.). If you read the context of our passage you will see that the Romans actually first arrest Paul, then Paul asked to speak to the people. It was while he was speaking to them that the mob became violent again. It was at this point that Paul was going to be beaten to get more information.
You may ask, why did Paul tell the Romans that he was a Roman citizen? The reason is a citizen of Rome must have a trial before he is condemned. By the Apostle Paul speaking up, he forced the Romans to either break their law and suffer severe consequences or obey their law and give Paul a trial. The Romans gave Paul a trial so they could find out more information about Paul and who he is. If you are familiar with the Book of Acts, this trial eventually led to a series of trials that ultimately led to Paul appealing to Caesar and going to Rome. Throughout all these trials, and journey to Rome, Paul was able to share the Gospel and his testimony.
The major lesson I see from this account in Paul's life is the importance of using your citizenship for the Gospel. By Paul speaking up about being a Roman it allowed the Gospel to be able to be shared with people in high political places from the Jewish people all the way up to Caesar himself. If he kept his mouth shut that day in Jerusalem, Paul would have never had the wonderful opportunity to minister (and possibly be able to write a large portion of the New Testament). In the same way, if you and I today who are Christians fail to use the privilege of our earthly citizenship, we can actually be found hindering the spread of the Gospel. As an American, we have tremendous rights that other people of the earth do not have. We have the freedom to protest our government when they do evil. We have the freedom to vote out bad politicians and elect new ones according to our biblical conscience. We have the freedom to write, to speak, to assemble, to spread the Gospel in ways that are impossible in other countries. I sincerely believe that when we as American Christians fail to use the advantage of our citizenship for Christ, we are sinning against God. Why else would the Lord placed us here in the great land of America if He didn't expect us to use America for the cause of Christ? Therefore, my challenge to you today who are American Christians is this: How are you using America for the cause of Christ? What are you doing today that is taking advantage of your earthly citizenship so more people can become a part of the Heavenly Kingdom of Christ? We have a great responsibility in these last days to be the salt and light in this earth for Christ. Are you being salty or have you lost your saltiness?
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16
Pastor Steve
Psalm 119:89
