“Civic Responsibility (Duty to Country) dates to ancient Rome whose citizens wanted to contribute to Roman society. Civic responsibility may have started with Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus in 519 BC. Although Civic Responsibility has existed for centuries in society, it was officially sanctioned as a blueprint for democracy in 1787 by the ratification of the United States Constitution. The Constitution declared, We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States.” (Self, n.d.) When we think of the country most people think of John 15:13 that states, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Duty to country such as being in the military or working as a first responder is only a couple of examples. A “Man” can serve his country in many different ways from coaching a little league team to volunteering at the homeless shelter. We discussed that a “Man” has many responsibilities and that he must stay alert and be aware of his surroundings to meet all the challenges.
One of the very best and simplest ways to understand the duty to God, Family, and Country is found in the Boy Scout Oath. The Boy Scout Oath reads, “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.” This is a simple oath but it carries a lot of weight and responsibility that easily carries over into adulthood and being a “Man.” “The three promises of the Scout Oath are Duty to God and country, Duty to other people, and Duty to self. This is further explained as DUTY TO GOD AND COUNTRY: Your family and religious leaders teach you to know and serve God. By following these teachings, you do your duty to God. Men and women of the past worked to make America great, and many gave their lives for their country. By being a good family member and a good citizen, by working for your country’s good and obeying its laws, you do your duty to your country. Obeying the Scout Law means living by its 12 points. DUTY TO OTHER PEOPLE: Many people need help. A cheery smile and a helping hand make life easier for others. By doing a Good Turn daily and helping when you’re needed, you prove yourself a Scout and do your part to make this a better world. DUTY TO SELF: Keeping yourself physically strong means taking care of your body. Eat the right foods and build your strength. Staying mentally awake means learn all you can, be curious, and ask questions. Being morally straight means to live your life with honesty, to be clean in your speech and actions, and to be a person of strong character.” (Counsel, 2019) Most oaths (Police, Public Office, Military) have the phrase “so help me God” as a part of the oath. Unfortunately, the military removed this phrase in 2014 which is another challenge for the truly “Biblical Man” to face. God and the Bible take oaths very serious and so should mankind. Numbers 30:2 “If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.”
God, Family, and Country is another simple phrase and is used many times without considering the true weight and value it describes. Many men hear these words and never think twice. The “Biblical Man” hears these words and a sense of responsibility will come to mind.