Setting the World Right By Decree

Is it just me or is the new Pope a pesky little critter? He's certainly made a name for himself in his new role. It seems like every other week I'm reading something he wants the world to do. This week he wants us all to put crucifixes on display in our homes. I'm sure there are some devoted Roman Catholics who will make sure they do what their new leader suggests, and some who will rebel at the notion and will not. But my point is that there are a hundred things we might wish people would do, but the world is not going to be set right by decree. I think the world is set righter (never to be set right except by Jesus Christ) when the people of God put their faith on display. Hanging up resin images of Jesus is not a sin, but neither is it the answer. To one degree or another most all religions get in trouble when they try to set the world straight. It is true that for evil to grow, good men have to remain silent. On the other hand, I believe that for good to increase in the world, Christian people are going to have to actually act like Christians all the time. This will not happen because I say so! It will happen because when Christ is formed in the submissive heart of the believer, lives are changed. And no decree can accomplish that.