of christians and social responsibility

on the day of the american presidental elections, at a local forum about the same topic, in response to a question from the floor regarding the short terms that american cabinet members serve, the american ambassador to singapore passed a very witty remark that encapsulated the truth -- "oh well, you have to bear in mind that american cabinet people don't earn half as much as your cabinet right here in singapore."

much as it was sarcastic and funny, it brought to light an issue. a social issue that merits much our thought and consideration.

however for us to incalcate a sense of social responsibility, we need to be first be socially aware and therefore possess a social conscience.

at the fourth nus vcf fellowship teaching of this academic year, mr anthony yeo stressed the importance of christians exhibiting "our clear mandate" that is exemplified in matthew chapter twenty-five where we are called to be "custodians of the earth."

"my prayer is not that you take them our of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." -- john 17:15 (new international version)

mr yeo observed that when people seek closeness with the Lord, they forget that they must also be closer to the reality and not disappear into their own world. john 17:15 reiterates what was said in the Bible about being in this world but not of this world. it therefore is a call for us to expand our social consciousness, to embrace the reality of the world.

in matthew 5:13-14, you remember how we are called to be the "salt (and)...light of the world." just as "salt" and "light" are elements that need to come into contact with the senses for their effectiveness to be seen -- salt needs to be tasted, and light is only useful in darkness -- christians must go into the world and embrace the world out there.

mr yeo talked about the 3 characteristics of salt -- to enhance taste, to preserve and to heal. if we are to be the "salt" of the earth, then we must possess all three qualities.

enhancing life would entail having the mind of Christ. to give up what's important to us so that we may benefit others. preserving means to promote people's welfare and dignity even in times of strife towards your enemies. healing refers to the many psychological wounds that christians can heal just by being there and listening -- when in doubt, don't speak, just listen.

to be the "light" to the world, christians must go out to where there is "darkness."

while it's important to maintain a christian community, being too inwardly looking is detrimental. the Great Commission calls us to do otherwise. Jesus himself hung out with the destitute, prostitutes, taxcollectors and adulterers during His ministry on earth all those thousand years ago. to go out there and spread His love and peace, however, takes on a different meaning in a modern context. we don't just go to geylang and pay prostitutes to talk to them about God, rather we could volunteer with the action for aids or even just the small thing of mentoring a younger teen in church. being a friend. listening. there are so many latch key kids out there needing role models.

more than community needs, mr yeo also talked about the need to let the christian voice be heard when it comes to national policies. issues that are pertinent. singaporeans are regarded as an apathetic bunch, but are we all that apathetic as the government defines us to be? the government intrisitely links political involvement with physical involvement with the political party, but this is a lie. all it takes is for you to find a platform, voice out your opinion and engage with the government. we mustn't give up trying because remaining docile will lead to complacency.

because quite simply, at the end of the day, God won't ask you whether you have gotten married and how many kids have you borne like the government would -- rather, He would be most interested in what you have done with the things He has given and blessed you with.

so you see, to have a social conscience is not about engaging in the political game, it's a call from God manifest in today's terms.

disclaimer: this article DOES NOT suggest mr yeo propagates mixing politics with religion, his point is simply that to exude Christ values in expousing the Christian world view. there is a clear delineation between politics and religion and it has to be differentiated. it's very tempting to read this it in this manner, so i am asking you not to misread this because this removes the essence of his sermon -- which is to be more socially aware as Christians.