THE ROLE OF THE CHRISTIAN IS TO HAVE INFLUENCE
By Mrs.H.S.Joyner, Director, STOP & CARE

SOCIAL ISSUES: SHOULD WE IMPOSE OUR VIEWS?:	God's laws fit the human beings God has made; thus to keep His laws is for our own good, believer and unbeliever alike... God's laws are for the wellbeing both of individuals, and of society. We need doctrinal apologetics (arguing the truth of the Gospel) in evangelism, and ethical apologetics in social action (arguing the goodness of moral law).

The purpose of social action is secure legislation which makes public life more pleasing to God. The main function of law is to safeguard society and protect the rights of citizens. There is great need for more Christian thinkers who will take part in public debate, and for Christian activists who will organize pressure groups to promote the work of persuasion.

"Above all, we must keep a vision of God who cares about justice, compassion, honesty and freedom in society, and a vision of man made in God's image, though fallen, moral, responsible and with a conscience to be respected."
(extracts from John Stott, Redcliffe Peninsula Presbyterian Newsletter 14/5/89).

ARE NOT ALL CHRISTIANS APPOINTED BY GOD TO INFLUENCE THE WORLD?

	"The most influential person	)     This comment was made by a 'Courier-Mail'
in Queensland is Rona Joyner, 	)     reader in his published entry (29/5/89) in
who believes, God made her the 	)     a readership survey wanting suggestions as
planetary director."	)     to the name of Queensland's 'EL SUPREMO'.

Reading this in the paper caused me to reflect on what Scripture has to say:

DID NOT CHRIST SAY of those servants who manage small trusts faithfully, that they shall be given AUTHORITY OVER 10 CITIES? (Luke 19.17) Christ has ALL power, authority and influence, and He makes His faithful servants co-rulers with Him.

Are not ALL Christians to reign in life by One, Christ Jesus? (ROMANS 5.17) and "to turn the world upside down", as did the early church - to have a godly impact on society's attitudes, as salt (disinfecting and purifying), and as light (highlighting, guiding and directing, exposing and overcoming opposition to God)?

DID NOT CHRIST SAY that if the salt be not salty, it is good for nothing but to be trodden underfoot, and that our light is to shine and not be hidden?

"SOCIAL ISSUES - ARE WE EFFECTIVE?: History teaches ... Christianity has changed the whole world socially. Jesus expected us to be light and salt. This separates Christians from non-Christians, as light is separate from darkness and salt from food.

"Therefore Christians must permeate non-Christian society... This theme runs through the whole Bible: God calling out a people for Himself, who are light and are to let that light shine; who are salt and are to preserve the world.  Why then do we live in a so-called post-Christian society?

"..(T)he church has very substantially conformed itself to the world in the area of social issues. We follow Biblical standards in our private lives, but in our work, our business, our politics, we have not developed a consistent Christian viewpoint or worldview. Evangelical Christians have tended to withdraw from the political and social debate. It is the humanists, the radicals and the revolutionaries who see the problems and often wrestle with them. We have answers; why are we mostly silent or only talking to ourselves?"
(Extracts from John Stott, Redcliffe Peninsula Presbyterian Newsletter 21/5/89).

It is simple logic that the more Christians are seen to be SALT AND LIGHT IN THE SECULAR SOCIETY, "appointed by God", and having influence through the power and