We don't need an uprising, we need up looking.

³ Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, ⁴ so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored.

⁶ Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; ⁷ in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, ⁸ sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

⁹ Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, ¹⁰ not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect.

This passage is again from the daily reading in the One Year Bible. Throughout his writings Paul addresses not only doctrinal issues but also cultural issues, writing about how our new life in Christ should impact and change our relationships to and with others. As I read this passage I couldn't help but think about where we find our society or culture today compared to the God ordained structure that scripture teaches.

It is obvious that we here in the U.S. are not a Christian nation. While we are moving farther from that at an increasing pace, we have not been a Christian nation for a long time. One of the primary functions of the early church was to take care of the poor and widows while at the same time encouraging others to be productive and responsible. Once the society or culture begins to look to the government to supply and sustain them it begins to move from the God ordained structure.

God planned and intends that there should be a normal cycle within families where three or more generations might live together supporting and caring for each other. When this country changed from being agriculturally based to manufacturing based a part of the God intended structure of family support was lost. Families moved apart and set up individual households. The government began to fill the roles formerly done by families, communities and churches, providing financially, overseeing education and conduct in the workplace. These were all things that the Bible teaches society to do that are now done by the government.

So where do we find ourselves? Is the answer to rebel against the government? No as with all things relating to the kingdom of God and this present age, the answer is not to rail against the darkness, but rather to shine the light. As believers, followers of Christ we need to live by the God ordained principles of family, workplace and community relationships. We can not turn back all that has happened over the past 100+ years, but we can take back the primary role and responsibility for teaching and training our children. We can work to maintain family structures through the generations caring for and supporting ourchildren, parents and grand parents, each generation valuing the previous generation. The church needs to understand that she is to be a light in the darkness and that the time will come and in many ways and places has come when the government can no longer meet the needs of the people. People will look again to the church, not for her beautiful structures or organization and programs, but to meet their most basic needs and guide them to the truth. In many ways the both our society and the church have become a reflection of the fallen state of man,being  self- centered and self-serving. Many look at and blame the government and say we need an uprising, a revolution. What we really need is an up-looking, redemption,  restoration and realignment  to God. The psalmist says in Psalm 121:

I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? ² My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. ³ He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. 4 Behold, He who keeps Israel Will neither slumber nor sleep.

Look up!