It should
be our objective to fulfill our obligations to society by being good
citizens, by correcting social injustices, and by protecting the sanctity
of life.
Being Good Citizens
As Christians we are members of the kingdom of God as well as a social
order of this world. Obedience to God requires us to act in a responsible
manner as citizens of our country (Mark 12:13-17; Romans 13:1-7; 1
Peter 2:13-17). Therefore, we should support civil law and order;
hold our leaders in respect and pray for them; participate in school,
community and governmental activities; exercise our voting rights;
and speak out on clear-cut moral issues. God's law is supreme, but
we are to obey the laws of our country insofar as they are not in
conflict with obedience to God (Acts 5:29). When it becomes necessary
to disagree with practices and requirements of government, we should
do so out of a concern for the promotion of righteousness and not
out of delight in discord and controversy.
Correcting Social Injustices
Love for others and the recognition of the equal worth of all men
in the sight of God (Acts 10:34; 17:26) should compel us to take steps
to improve the situation of those who are underprivileged, neglected,
hungry, homeless and victimized by prejudice, persecution and oppression
(Matthew 22:39; Romans 13:8-10; 1 John 3:17). In all of our dealings,
we must be sensitive to human needs (Luke 10:30-37; James 1:17) and
guard against racial and economic discrimination. Every person should
have freedom to worship and participate in the life of the church
regardless of race, color, sex, social class or nationality.
Protecting the Sanctity of Life
God alone confers life (Genesis 1:1-31); therefore, we are responsible
to God to care for our physical life and that of others. If the circumstances
require, we must be prepared to risk our life in the service of our
neighbor (John 15:13); but the general rule is that we must respect
our physical life and employ every worthy means to maintain it. Since
God alone confers life, God alone must decide when it is to be ended
(Psalm 31:14, 15). Because a human fetus is sacred and blessed of
God, we believe that we have the responsibility to protect the life
of the unborn (Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:41). It is our firm conviction
that abortion and euthanasia of aged, mentally incompetent, terminally
ill and otherwise handicapped, for reasons of personal convenience,
social adjustment or economic advantage, are morally wrong. Furthermore,
we believe it is our Christian responsibility to care for the earth
and its resources. In the beginning God gave man dominion over the
earth (Genesis 1:26-30). This does not, however, give us license to
pollute our natural environment or to waste the resources of the earth.
