(Labour Day) Zindabad!

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"If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peacefully with all men" (Rom 12:18)

Labour problems have assumed alarming proportions all over the world. Students, doctors, teachers, officers and workers are demanding so many things. Strikes are commonplace. Some of these end in stone-throwing and lathi-charge. We need to consider whether God's children should participate in this kind of activity. Many Christians ask us if it is right or wrong to join strikes. I cannot give an yes-or-no answer easily. Since strikes were perhaps quite unknown in the early days, there is no direct answer in the Bible for this. But I believe the Bible has sufficient principles laid down for life and conduct. Here are a few Scripture passages to consider—

A leader must "not be violent or quarrelsome but gentle" (1 Tim 3:2,3). "God is not the author of confusion but peace" (1 Cor 14:33). "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake... this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men" (1 Pet 2:13-16).

These and such passages from the Bible definitely do not endorse violence even for a just cause. If the authorities are quite adamant and the workers stage a strike to present their genuine grievances before the public, we cannot call it a sin. But resorting to stone-throwing, burning of vehicles and destroying properties and such violent acts are to be condemned. You should not be a part of it.

During the days of strike, since you have free time, it will give you an opportunity to witness to your friends about the "New Heaven and New Earth where righteousness dwells" (2 Pet 3:13). Do not become unfriendly with your colleagues. At the same time do not involve yourself in indecent activities. May the Lord give you wisdom how to behave in such situations. Instead of fighting for our rights, we must assist the poor, the downtrodden and the marginalized to get whatever is due to them from organisations and the Government. Patriarch Job was a champion of the causes of the poor (Job 29:12-17).

We are taught in the Scriptures to pray for all in authority and under authority. The purpose of such praying is twofold: (i) That we may live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity; (ii) That everyone may be saved and understand the Truth (1 Tim 2:1-4). Let's make this our daily prayer until Christ's Kingdom comes!

 Hallowed be Your Name!
 Your Kingdom come!
 Your will be done here as There!

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