The institution

There had been a debate at home some time back- about a Christian’s response towards the institution. The institution can be the organization that we work in, its cold-hearted policies, the sum of its politicking colleagues and bottom-line only management. The institution can also be the authorities whose state we live in, it’s autocratic democracy, and laissez faire based governance.

Let the institution be the company we work in.

How shall the Christian view the “company”?
An arbitrary entity void of emotions- will one be a fool to invest emotionally and believe in its name? The wages it pays are but a fair return for the work done- will one be silly to accord loyalty to it?

And how shall the Christian “treat” the company?
The company has hired me because I am their best option at that point as well- should feelings of gratitude be deemed unnecessary? Another company has head-hunted me and offered to pay off my scholarship, one cannot be faulted having returned the company its investment in monies it has demanded in contract- all “righteousness” has been fulfilled, what is wrong with jumping ship? And where progress has been stunted due to a slip, shall I not bail out on the unforgiving institution in pursuit of greener pastures to better fulfill my potential & other life commitments?

One thing I’d say right from the start, is that the Christian need not have illusions about the goodness of the company. The company is made up of people to fulfill certain objectives. Objectives that may be aligned to some of one’s objectives in life, but there is no perfect alignment at all times. And people managing the company are sinful, wicked people- people not very different from herself if she were to be honest.
But should the nature of the company be the determining factor of how the Christian treat the institution? Should that be so, the Christian will need to re-look at her doctrine, and re-examine her life that has been left unexamined for too long. Faith has slowly been divorced from deeds, and God from His throne.

When Paul instructs slaves to obey their masters- I don think he had the loving master in mind. Nor when he instructs everyone to be subject to governing authorities, had he forgotten that those were the authorities that had crucified his Christ. But what he knows for certain is that “there is no authority except that which God has established… Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience”. (Romans 13:1-5)

When the Christian forgets that it is God who stands behind the institution, that He is the one ultimately in control, she will be tempted to act like the pagans do- rejecting submission, according no kindness, planning and plotting the next step to keep herself ahead and acting only with her self interest as her guide.
When the Christian forgets her duty to God is in all of her life, she will act like the world- that her stomach is more important than integrity, money is valued more than honor, and her name is more important than God’s.
When the Christian forgets that it is to God who gives and takes away, and man & circumstances are but His tools (just as the nations were His judgment to Israel), she nurses hatred & grudges for a time too long and hurts herself. She begins to think that she can do all things through her strength, and manipulate to get away. She can no longer give thanks for she has earned and deserve everything with her hands.

The institution is the world. The world will never be good to the Christian, the world will never be just. The world is God’s tool to mould the Christian, the fire that refines and burns the chaff away. It matters not how the institution treats the Christian-the outcome is certain. It will not always be fair, but God will reprieve in the end. But it matters how the Christian treats the world for she bears His name. She must carry her cross each day, and live for His honor and glory alone. Amen.