Promoting and Preserving Dignity – The Law of God and Public Policy

Promoting and Preserving Dignity
The Law of God and Public Policy

Dignity is closely related to godliness.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 1 Timothy 1:1, 2

Paul is outlining for us the basic components of the “good society.” We can be sure that his view of goodness was informed by the holy and righteous and good Law of God (Rom. 7:12). Thus, we’re looking to him to frame out that notion before we return to the Law of God itself for more specific details in working for public policies conducive to such a society.

We’ve seen that, in Paul’s mind, a good society is one in which people are able to live peacefully and in quiet with their neighbors, and where godliness is encouraged, nurtured, and preserved. Paul continues his brief discussion with the mention that, in a good society, people must be allowed to live “dignified” lives in every way.

The word for “dignity” here is closely related to “godliness.” It refers to honor, worthiness, even holiness of life. Paul’s vision of a good society was one in which “all people” might be free to realize their full worthiness and potential as beings made in the image of God. In the Christian life, we are called to set aside, renounce, and be done with whatever things are contrary to such a dignified life, so that we might be clothed with Jesus, fully reconciled to God, and able to realize all the inherent worth we have as His creatures and children.

A society in which people are allowed to realize their full worth and dignity is one that promotes growth in virtue, wisdom, and individual fruitfulness. To some extent, it is the responsibility of those charged with making and keeping public policy to ensure that society provides a fertile ground for such human flourishing. Whatever would stunt, thwart, or corrupt such growth must not be encouraged, must even be suppressed.

And it is the role of government, as God’s servant for good, to suppress it.

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In the Gates is a devotional series on the Law of God by Rev. T. M. Moore, editor of the Worldview Church. He serves as dean of the Centurions Program of the Wilberforce Forum and principal of The Fellowship of Ailbe, a spiritual fellowship in the Celtic Christian tradition. He is the author or editor of twenty books, and has contributed chapters to four others. His essays, reviews, articles, papers, and poetry have appeared in dozens of national and international journals, and on a wide range of websites. His most recent books are The Ailbe Psalter and The Ground for Christian Ethics (Waxed Tablet).

Scripture quotations in this article are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (c) copyright 2001, 2007 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.