Written by Paul J Bucknell on October, 01, 2020
Truth’s Influence on Society
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. ‘For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass away from the Law, until all is accomplished’” (Matthew 5:17,18).
Truth Reigns Supreme
God’s laws operate equally everywhere. Just as light shines on the wicked and righteous. No matter what race or religion a person holds, God’s laws shall prosper those who observe His truths. It’s in this same way that cultures and societies testify to God’s amazing grace. When people observe God’s truths, they are blessed.
Society and culture ought to be built on the truth.
Confucianism, as an example, brought many blessings to the Chinese society because of the elemental respect children give to their parents (Eph 6:3), a wife to her husband (Eph 5:33), and a people to rulers (Rom 13:4). No nation lives out the whole truth. A society’s glory, significance, and length of government testify to the carrying out of some of God’s laws. Some think the essential elements of a great civilization lay in the dynastic emperors’ governing style, but this was secondary They, too, were corrupt. In the case of Confucianism, its perspectives got embedded into China’s educational system, and though limited in scope at the time, played a large part in perpetuating these truths.
Societies reflect biblical truths to different degrees and are blessed to the degree that they observe them. This does not mean that a culture is good, for much evil is wrapped up along with the few truths that influence them. But culture can be better or worse. Those that promote evil, speed up their destruction. God will hold each nation and individual accountable to His truth.
“But He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?” (Dan 4:35)
A Society’s Laws
Another example of truth’s influence in society is seen in its formal laws and associated legal system, such as seen in today’s democratic countries. Laws shape a nation and keep the leaders accountable to them. Once laws are taken off the books, not enforced, or permit immoral activities, ungodliness will reign. If unrighteous laws replace righteous ones, then that nation will soon be buried under God’s judgment. God’s judgment is not seen only in earthquakes and desolation but first in disease, injustice, and poverty (e.g., increase of STDs and pain associated with immorality).
It might seem to be an exaggeration to assert that a society’s well-being depends upon the way it upholds marriage and the family, but it’s not. Fundamental values are instilled into society through the family. Today, China, which has essentially dissolved the family, is rapidly deteriorating. So are other nations which adopt materialistic values. The foundation of the family is slowly eroding, leading the populace into poverty and pain.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded upon the rock. And everyone who hears these words of Mine, and does not act upon them, will be like a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and burst against that house; and it fell, and great was its fall” (Matthew 7:24-27).
Society and culture erode when the truth is set aside.
We must no longer only talk about being God’s people but discern and do the will of God!
When truth suffers,
so do the people,
and society.
Study Questions on Truth’s Influence on Society
- What advantage has the law on society and people?
- Can observance of the law save people? (Answer not above)
- What happens to people who match and live more by God’s laws? What about those who do not?
- How do STD (sexually transmitted disease) display God’s judgment (see latest statistics)? Is this a final judgment?
- How does the author suggest that the Chinese nation grew so strong over the years?
- What are the three biblical truths part of Confucianism?
- What is the status of your country and observance of God’s laws today?
- Give an example of how obedience or disobedience to God’s laws makes a difference in the blessing or pain to a people.
