THE BELIEVER AND THE HOMELAND The Apostle has already addressed the subject of the Christian and his daily life (Ch 12), and has underlined the manner in which it is possible to apply a living faith in his daily life. This appears in his worship to God, in the manner he sanctifies his body through the Holy Spirit, in his relationship with believers as members with him in the one body, and also in his relationship with all people and even his persecutors. By the grace of God, the believer presents a living testimony to His Savior, the Lover of mankind. In Chapter 13, St Paul addresses, in a spirit of humility and respect, the issue of his status as an active citizen who feels he has obligations towards his mother country. Since the believer realizes that his heart has soared towards the heavens to find there an eternal motherland, he feels increasingly obligated to witness to that heavenly country. He does so through his demonstrated submission, love and daily behavior. 1-Submission to Authority 1-5 2-Loyalty to our Homeland 6-7 3-Commitment to Love Neighbors 8- 10 4- Preparedness for the Heavenly Homeland 11-14 1-Submission to Authorities: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation”. (1, 2) There is no doubt that the attitude of the ruling non- Israelite Jews constituted a problem. They observed the literal commandments of the Mosaic Law that says: “Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother”, (Deut 17: 15). In fact, they misinterpreted these words as they resisted authorities wherever they ruled. In the year 49 A.D., they stirred so much rebellion in Rome that the Emperor Claudius Caesar felt it necessary to drive them out of the city (Acts 18: 2).In the Jewish mind, religious belief and politics are closely related. This has led them to believe that the redeeming Messiah would come in order to rescue them from the Roman rule, and would spread their own power over the whole world. This has led them to crucify the Lord Jesus Christ as he had not met their expectations. In contrast, the true Christian believer realizes that heaven is the sphere of internal focus. In this context, St Paul says: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth,” (Col 3: 1,2). In doing so, the believer”s heart is drawn to heaven as he realizes that his whole life is in the hands of God, the Pantocrator. Therefore as a believer, the Christian person does not yearn for temporal positions or ranks and his faith has no ties with politics. Indeed, he perceives that his Church offers “a heavenly life” and is not a mere temporal institution. There is no place for politics in such an environment, and everyone is welcomed with a spirit of meekness, submission, and love in the Lord Jesus Christ. 329 St Paul writes: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God”, (1). At that time, the Emperor Nero was violently persecuting the Church, yet St Paul believed that Nero too – in spite of his wickedness- had been crowned by divine permission and for the good of the Church. It was not the job of the Church to resist him neither openly nor within the heart. However, she could react to his evil by love and submission in temporal matters as long as these did not impinge on her faith in God. In Proverbs 8: 15 and 16, we are told: “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth”. Also, in (Prov 21: 1) “The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will”. That is why the Church does not cease to pray for the president or the king, his advisors, and his men, so that the Lord might give them peace and wisdom… St John Chrysostom writes about the Church and her ministers and says the following: [Since it is appropriate to respond to our attackers with goodness, then would it not be appropriate to submit to those who can benefit us? …the Apostle has indicated that his teachings are relevant to everyone, such as priests and monks; and not just for those who have international jobs. He says: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers”. Therefore whether you are an apostle, a preacher, or a prophet, or does any other work…know that submission to authority is not destructive to faith and religion1]. St John Chrysostom further interprets and clarifies by saying that we observe submission to leaders and rulers since they are there through God”s plan. This does not mean that every ruling king or responsible person has been designated by God, but that the plan itself is from God. St John Chrysostom asks: [“What do you say? Has God chosen every ruler?” The answer: I do not say so, for I am not talking about individuals but about the positions: there has to be the ruler and the ruled to avoid confusion. Otherwise people would be like the waves-crashing here and there. This is what I call God”s plan and wisdom; and that is why St Paul says: “. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God”. He does not say “there is no ruler except the one God designates”. Also the wise writer of the Proverbs says: “a prudent wife is from the LORD”, (Prov 19: 14- Septuagint translation). This indicates that God has instituted marriage, but that does not mean that He brings to every man a wife to marry. In fact, we see how many people get married with evil intentions under the cover of marriage. We cannot associate that with God]. St John Chrysostom goes on to reveal that submission is not intended here to be observed for temporal benefits, but to please God. Submission here does not imply weakness but it means “obedience in the Lord”. Therefore a believer appropriately submits in fear from evil and not in fear of people: “For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth 1 In Rom. hom 23 330 evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake”, ( 3-5). In this manner, St Paul raises us above submission that springs from fear or flattery. He recommends submission that springs from a sincere inner conscience. The result would be submission to authorities that arises from the inner depths so that we do what is good and beneficial. In good conscience, and as we avoid evil, our submission to the authorities will be in harmony with our inner sanctity. St John Chrysostom comments on the above apostolic verses and says: [Note how he wishes to encourage people to act as friends of the ruler, as he reveals that he praises them from his throne and as there is no reason for anger…it is our wickedness and not the ruler that is reason for fear!]. 2- Loyalty to our Country: By submitting to authorities, we are actually obeying a biblical commandment which is an inseparable aspect of our spiritual life. Such submission should not be through mere lip service but through hard work. That is, by doing good and useful service to our country, and by fulfilling happily all our duties towards it. St Paul says: “For because of this you also pay taxes for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: taxes to whom taxes are due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour”, (6, 7). St John Chrysostom considers that the Apostle has transformed what many find to be a burden into an agreeable issue. A person who pays taxes does so for his own benefit since rulers are “God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing”.They work tirelessly to ensure the security of the land, protecting it from enemies and from the wicked- such as thieves and criminals. Therefore rulers carry heavy burdens and have to be vigilant, while the citizen pays his taxes to enjoy the peace of which the rulers are deprived. This is what drives St Paul to urge us not only to submit to them, but also to pray for them so that we might enjoy a peaceful and secure life (1 Tim 2: 1,2). Note that in the original Greek translation the word “repay” is used for the word “pay” which is used here. This conveys that what we pay as taxes or tribute to rulers is not a donation from us, but it is a payment of a debt: they remain alert and work hard to ensure that all citizens are secure. We have previously elaborated on the divine command: “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's”, (Matt 22: 21; 1 Pet 2: 13, 17). Note also that taxes denote what rulers collect on persons and property, while customs are collected on merchandise. 3- The Commitment to Love our Neighbors: Our obligations towards our country do not simply cover our submission to authorities and paying our financial obligations such as taxes. It also includes love to all mankind, and as St Paul says: “Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law”, (8). A believer is uncomfortable as long as he owes a debt, and he will do his best to pay it back. The Apostle could be referring here to the debt owed to the rulers and which should be paid since they work hard to ensure the safety of the nation. 331 In any case, we should pay every person his due. However, we continue to feel we owe the debt of love towards all for the sake of God who has loved us. St John Chrysostom writes on the subject of paying the debt of love as follows: [He wishes us to constantly pay the debt, and that is endless). St Augustine asks us to pray to God to grant us love so that we may fulfill the debt1. With such a mindset, we practice love as well as fulfill the Law: “for he who loves another has fulfilled the Law (8); and as St John Chrysostom says: [Once more, he discusses the good deeds which produce every virtue…you are indebted with love to your brother because we are members of one another. If we abandoned love, the body would be torn to pieces. Therefore love your brother. At the same time, note that by being a friend to him you are at the same time obeying the Law. In this light, you are indebted to him since you have reaped a benefit to yourself]. The Apostle clarifies this point in these words: “For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself”, (9). The heart is actually filled with God Himself when it is filled with true love. He satisfies the heart, soul, feelings, and senses so fully that a person does not feel the need for worldly pleasures, attractions, physical desires, or deceptive sins to fill his life. Love brings satisfaction to the human existence and fills life with joy! Through love, we also meet the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lover of mankind; and the biblical commandments become the law that governs our inner life. Consequently, the Law is perfected within us since His presence transforms its application into easy and simple commandments. The Apostle continues his discourse and says: “Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law”, (10). Love, which is the mother of all virtues, elevates a person”s depths above all evil so that he lives in the spirit and fulfills the Law. Where love is present, what else do we need?... And where love is absent, what could be good or beneficial? The devil believes (James 2: 19) but he has no love; yet no one has love if he does not believe. St Augustine2 Love is the fulfillment of the Law, just as the Lord Jesus Christ (who fulfilled the Law)…Through love, the Law is fulfilled: Do not commit adultery, do not covet your neighbors wife…these are sins that were prohibited and obeyed, in the past, through fear. St Clement of Alexandria3 Love is the beginning and end of virtue: it constitutes the roots and peak of virtue. It is as though love is the beginning and the process of its completion, so what can equal it?! 1 In Ioan. tr 57:1 2 Ibid 83:3 3 Strom 4:19 332 St John Chrysostom1 4- Readiness for the Heavenly Homeland: Our commitment to be loyal to our earthly homeland arises from our inner depths that are fired up by our love for the heavenly motherland, and our constant yearning to be prepared to take flight to her. That is our reason for submitting to authorities and honoring them in a practical manner by living virtuous lives. St Paul says: “And do this, knowing that now is the time to awake out of sleep for now our salvation is nearer than when we then believed”, (11). Let us be trustworthy and loving to all because our days on earth are limited: they are just “an hour” and as though it is a sleep from which we awake to find ourselves face to face with God in His eternal heavenly kingdom. The Apostle feels that every day that passes by brings him nearer to the end of his earthly life, and leads him into eternity where he will enjoy his heart”s desire. It is as though, day after day and hour after hour, he anticipates his departure from this world! This was the feeling of the early Church, as we are told in (1Cor 7: 29) “…the time is short…”; and in 1 Peter: 4: “…the end of all things is at hand”; and in (1 Jn 2: 18) “…it is the last hour…”. The time is near for the resurrection, for the fearful Judgment Day, for the day that will burn like a furnace…therefore we must get rid of our laziness… Note how the Apostle indicates to his hearers that the resurrection is approaching soon, and that the days are passing by so that this present life will come to an end, and eternal life is drawing near. Therefore it is not appropriate that they show lack of zeal at the beginning of their struggle when their desire has reached its highest point, while their zeal would become colder with the passage of time. The opposite should happen as they should become stronger and stronger as the days go by and the coming of the King approaches. They should not become negligent with time, for they need to get prepared as the time for reward draws near. Indeed, this should motivate them to struggle more fiercely. It is similar to a match where the enthusiasm of the competitors increases as the game nears its end. St John Chrysostom2 The Apostle goes on to say: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provisions for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts,” (12 _14). St Paul considers that the night of the present life comes to an end, but the day of eternity –which has no end, is drawing near. Therefore it is appropriate that we get ready for this day by carrying within us the Lord Jesus Christ who is the “sun of righteousness”. When we put Him on, He destroys all the deeds of darkness in us, and shines in us by his holy deeds that are weapons of light. 1 In Rom. hom 23 2 Ibid 24 333 St Gregory (the Great) draws an analogy between St Paul and the cock that sings in a beautiful voice to awaken us when the darkness has ended and the dawn of day has come1.. Let us lead our lives here in the same manner in which we will live during the daythat is in the world to come. St Jerome2 If your chest has been relieved of the darkness, if the night has been lifted up from there, if obscurity has been driven out, if the brilliance of daylight has lightened up your senses, if you have become a child of light…then do the works of the Lord Jesus Christ for He is the Light and the Day. St Caprianus3 It is appropriate that we let the works themselves shout out, for these enable us to walk in the day as they shed light on our deeds (Matt 5: 6). St Clement of Alexandria4 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ”, (14) We put Him on when we love virtue and hate evil; when we train ourselves to be chaste and subdue our lusts; when we love righteousness and not sin; when we honor moderation and the mind is firm; when we do not forget the poor but open our doors to all mankind; and when we welcome humble thoughts and despise pride. Pope Athanasius, the Saint and Apostle5 “The night is far spent, the day is at hand”, (12) This night is almost over and the day is at hand, therefore we need to do the works of the day rather than those of the present time... When the night has completely passed away, we will rush towards the day and say: “The day has come, let us do the works of the day”…such as getting dressed, and abandoning our dreams and our sleep…In this manner, we will get rid of our imaginations and the dreams of this life. Let us strip away the deep sleep and wrap ourselves with the clothes of virtue… St Paul says: “Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light”, (12). Indeed, for the light invites us to put on the weapons and to fight (spiritually). Do not fear on hearing about weapons. Tangible weapons are heavy and handling them is hard. However, the weapons mentioned here are desirable instruments of light and it is worthwhile to pray to receive them! They make you shine more brilliantly than the sun”s rays, and grant you great radiance, while ensuring your safety …they are weapons of the Light! 1 Pastoral Rule 3:39 2 On Ps. hom 46 3 On Jealousy & Envy 10 4 Strom. 4:26 5 Pasch. Ep. 4:3 334 “Let us walk properly, as in the day” (13) St Paul urges us in these words “Let us walk” rather than the command “walk” in order to indicate the simplicity of the task as well as soften his reproach! “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ”(14) St Paul does not mention specific deeds, as he seeks to arouse in his listeners greater matters. When he speaks about vice, he indicates its deeds. However, when he speaks about virtue, he mentions her weapons rather than her deeds. This is because he wishes to stress that virtue instills great peace and brilliance to the believer…he presents the Lord Himself as the costume … the King Himself…by being enveloped in Him we are dressed in absolute virtue. St John Chrysostom1 1 In Rom. hom 24
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