Ordinary People

Promises to society are often broken, even if they give a respite in hope for a period of time. Finding the promises unmet, the confidence of the people with their support begins to decline, and may end in despair.  The pattern can be illustrated in the major and minor elections and ensuing experience in the American experience.  Using the president as an example, it is common for this newly elected person to enter office on a wave of good will and a general willingness to support the platform that won the majority vote.  The first measure is taken after a hundred days.  There appears to be a crack, even cracks, here or there.  They widen in the months ahead, perhaps not so seriously that they prevent a second term, but first or second, the person leaves office with less than a majority support of the population.  As this is being written, the president is beleaguered with tension and disagreement, both within his party and firmly by those out of his party.  There is feeling, on the part of analysts, that there is enough blame to go around – sometimes including that found in the frailties of the electorate.  This review is not a focus of general fault-finding.

Can society do better?  Of course it can, but history does not suggest that it will.  If not, is there any use in investing time and energy in trying for the better?  Of course there is.  God wants the effort to be in the right direction, and that is what insightful persons will do in concern for their generation.  Our first duty in a social world is to address the needs of our own generation.  We refuse to take on the burden of the past as our responsibility so avoid the victimized psychology.  We accept, or should, what we have inherited, good or ill, and address what we can do to sustain or improve social course – in peace.  Our purpose is to leave to the next generation something better than we received. This was one of the great compliments, and part of the reason for greatness that covered a multitude of sins for King David. (David . . . served his own generation by the will of God . . . Acts 13:36)  Solomon greatly benefitted by what David left to him.  David did not complain about the administration of Saul who preceded him. Saul went from high expectations from the people to a fear and jealousy that would have challenged any counselor, minister or psychiatrist to dilute.  He had become a schizophrenic and died in battle taking the magnificent Jonathan, his son, with him in death.

A study of the words right, righteous and righteousness in Scripture gives us good orientation in which to both advance ourselves personally and society generally in problem solving than we will likely gain in any other way.  I cannot prove that statement, but I believe it, so to launch such a worthwhile project.  Some questions will be answered that we may have felt had no answer in the world of nature.  The word righteous may refer either to persons identified as God’s spiritual children, or it may refer to the thought and conduct of oriented humanists who are good for goodness sake.  Like other words the word righteous (right) has several contexts of meanings.  In that understanding Scripture, in the context in which the word is used, clarifies the meaning.  Whether practiced by the redeemed of the Lord, or the most distant humanist, the Lord honors righteousness.  If this were not so, the gospel of Christ would need some amendment in that redemption would be possible through perfect conduct.  Persons are not wholly righteous, but they can, in varying degrees be committed to righteousness in human thought and conduct.  Even Jesus notes that those who are good people have misunderstood the meaning of righteousness.  The redemption of Christ is to restore mankind’s status with God.  Righteousness is a way of thinking and acting. Some people are good with it, some are not. Even some Christians are not consistent with it. (The righteous considers the cause of the poor: but the wicked regard not to know it.  Proverbs 29:7)

There is wisdom for those focusing on problem solving.  Ecclesiastes (the Preacher) addresses this very matter and we learn the time and place for the advancement of either faith or righteousness, or both, as the circumstances of our generation may permit for success.  To use a parable of Jesus, there is a casting of pearls before swine that will not work.   Leaders and followers, pagan or Christian, must synchronize in vision for good government. In wisdom we seek righteousness for personal and social life.  (Proverbs 14:34)