What does God expect of us as citizens? In our country the backbone of the political process is the citizenry—that’s us. We are called to take part in office or in the decisions made. What kind of society and government are we to work towards? The answer we need is a theological one. We want to work towards a society that is pleasing and honoring to God. We look in his Word. In places where we don’t find a direct blueprint to apply, there are principles to follow. As Christians, we do it within the framework of the government we have—and for Americans there is a lot of freedom.

Amos’s message was one of judgement. Destruction was coming because the people had forsaken the Lord. Judgement was coming because the people were more concerned with lining their pockets and living on easy street than doing justice. Because the people did not return to the Lord, even when he chastened them with hardships and plagues, judgement was coming. So Amos gives God’s ominous words: Prepare to meet your God, O Israel (4:12).

The Israelites were enjoying a second golden age economically. They loved the religious festivals because they loved a good party. But their hearts were far from the Lord. They oppressed the poor—even enslaving a person over the cost of a pair of sandals. They used their pull to distort justice for their own ends. So these people were well off, more concerned with their stuff and having a good time than they were with following the Lord and loving people. That describes our society rather well. What does God call us to do about it?

This is what the sovereign Lord says to the House of Israel: seek me and live (v 4). God calls us as individuals and as a church, to seek him, learn his ways and live. How do we know the ways of God? By paying attention to what he has told us in his Word. He wants our hearts and minds. He wants the question, "What would Jesus do?" to be a real one in our lives, not just a slogan.

Don’t seek Bethel do not go to Gilgal (v5). These were places of worship. Bethel means, the "house of God." We don’t seek God by going to a holy place. These places had become corrupt. They would be destroyed. God is calling his people to be holy. We are not to seek a place, or an experience, or anything external. We can know him in our being, not just know about him. The Holy Spirit has come to dwell within us so we can be with the Lord wherever we are. Where we are, we are with the Lord. In the Lord there is life. We are to seek the Lord and live.

In verse 7 Amos starts the complaint against the people. They turn justice into bitterness. In other words, they pervert justice and frustrate people from getting what is right. Righteousness is cast down to the ground. They despise those who tell the truth. They use their business power to shortchange those who are in need. Bribes overrule justice. These are the sort of thing that God hates.

We must look at ourselves. Have we, like those Israelites, fooled ourselves into thinking that we are tight with the Lord when we are really far from him? Do we have a heart for God, the things of God—the Word of God? Or are we like the people Amos preached to, who were more concerned with their own pleasure than that God wanted? If so, we need to repent and seek the Lord.

Are we righteous in our business dealings with people? Do we take advantage of people because of their situation? Do we sell our products, our services or our time honestly? Of course we need to make a profit to stay in business, but are we righteous in how we do it? There is a difference between honest dealing and shady dealing. God wants us to be righteous.

Much of Amos talks about justice. We vote for certain judges. We need to encourage those on the bench to be righteous and encourage some who are righteous to be on the bench. But we do not wait for everything to be brought through the government. We can take the lead in working towards a more righteous society. Our own members have done this through LoveINC, Dove House, the soup Kitchen, the mercy ministry of our Deacons and more.

What happened to the people Amos preached to? They did not repent and judgement came. It is not to be that way for us, because we have been made God’s people in Christ. We are his workmanship created to do these good things in Christ. What do we bring to our society? What are we known for? May it be the love of Christ and the power of the gospel through what we say and what we do.