Blog & Pastor Letters

Living in a Lawless Society

02-16-2020Weekly ReflectionRev. Victor C. Yakubu

Jack Myers' The Future of Men: Masculinity in the Twenty-First Century (2016) is a good read for building healthy relationships between men and women. The concept of gender war has caused untold pain to men and women of every generation. Instead of making life meaningful we seek greedy living that further confuses our values of what life is all about. Nonetheless there is nothing new under the sun (Read Eccl. 1:9) and it is amazing how human societies have evolved. For instance, the concept of urban or rural living suggests greater cooperation between the genders in building peaceful societies as compared to lawless republics. One thing is sure; the survival of humans on the face of the earth depends on their ability to respect their laws.

Have you ever imagined living in a lawless society? Imagine the thought of waking up in the morning and discovering strange fellows muzzling you to vacate your house. Or more painfully, imagine that you cannot travel ten miles from your house without meeting deadly bandits who are after your possessions. Is that not enough misery? If there were no laws, you could simply overrun your neighbor's house and ask him to move to Siberia in a dinghy.

The situation is painful when you realize that these lawless behaviors have happened in the past. Even today, some societies have refused to evolve by not bestowing respect to women, children, minorities, and the weak. Societies with eerie behaviors send their citizens in all directions seeking the safety and peace of a new life. Lawless living is the highest disrespect in the evolution of human societies, and it is easy to identify such traits. For this reason, laws are made to regulate the behaviors of citizens in order not to violate the rights of other citizens. The ideal is that nobody should live above the law or be a sacred cow at the detriment of other citizens.

The Book of Sirach says, "If you choose you can keep the commandments, they will save you; if you trust in God, you too shall live." Any individual who constantly breaks the rules of society will always be on the run from the law. The best option is to choose to respect the laws of society and be at peace with yourself and others. Jesus did not come to abolish the laws. Rather he came to fulfill them. He admonished individuals to keep the Ten Commandments. He simplified them into love of God and love of neighbor. When you reflect on the crimes of society, you will discover the underlying forces often referred to as the seven deadly sins: gluttony, lust, avarice, pride, despair, wrath, vainglory, and sloth. These sins are called deadly for a reason. Seeking the joy of a luxurious life without merit leads to the pursuit of cheap glory at all cost to pursue other avenues of satisfying the flesh. Many commit murders just to satisfy their insatiable needs thus perpetuating the story of wrathful vengeance.

Hard work produces legitimate earnings, so families manage their income with a moderate budget to curtail extravagance and a waste of resources. Any attempt to live above this means can result in lawless behaviors or indulgences in criminal actions. The Christian should avoid illegal ventures that go against the principles of Jesus as aptly summarized in the seven deadly sins. The Book of Sirach says, "Before man are life and death, good and evil, whichever he chooses shall be given him." The choice is open to the freewill God bestows on every individual to contemplate the path of life that is important to existence.

The consequences of living in a lawless society are evident; disrespect for constituted authority, violation of the rights of women and children, theft, corrupt living, and violent attacks on minorities. Jesus requests that our affirmative action should make the difference in showing good examples to the world. It is not a man's world; it is not woman's world; it is our world. Jack Myers' book envisions a world where men and women are judged not by gender but by what they contribute to developing a lawful society. Don't take your neighbor's lovely dog; he may come after you. Otherwise obey the commands of the Lord and live happily all your days. Will you obey simple traffic rules? Keep praying!

BACK TO LIST