Greetings fellow believers, I hope the Lord's day find you well and in awe of his wondrous works when you took your 1st breath this morning. Before I begin, I wanted share a portion of a conversation I had with my wife. We were discussing the actions of people. Whether it be family, friends, or those we see, read, or hear about. Specifically, we reminisced on our youth and the way we were raised. Obviously, today, to each generation seems different from what they remembered. People truly seem act as if there are no boundaries. Many give the appearance that they are entitled to all things at all times, and when it doesn't happen, all hell breaks loose ( in a general sense). For reasons unknown, people refuse to seek the joy in life, for the sake of joy. Instead, they spend time searching for the negative or are only happy when someone else's situation is worse than theirs. Now they won't say it publicly, but watch their conversations or the people they surround themselves with. They all sound the same.
Initially, my message was derived from Proverbs. I am in am the midst of a 30 day study on Proverbs. However, the Lord had other plans. As the issues around the world heat up and cause mass confusion and issues close to home get even worse, the Lord and I talked about the issues in Ferguson, MO. Before I share my thoughts, I ask that you read God's word first and then see what I had to say. You may or may not agree.
Book: Romans (Ch. 13:1-14) New English Translation
Author: Paul
Time: 57 - 58 AD
Why: Romans explains God's plan of salvation by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Divinely inspired, Paul passed on truths that are followed by believers to this day.
Submission to Civil Government
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except by Gods appointment, and the authorities that exist have been instituted by God. 2 So the person who resists such authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will incur judgment 3 (for rulers cause no fear for good conduct but for bad). Do you desire not to fear authority? Do good and you will receive its commendation, 4 for it is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be in fear, for it does not bear the sword in vain. It is God's servant to administer retribution on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath of the authorities but also because of your conscience. 6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants devoted to governing. 7 Pay everyone what is owed: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.
Exhortation to Love Neighbors
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “ Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” (and if there is any other commandment) are summed up in this, “ Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Motivation to Godly Conduct
11 And do this because we know the time, that it is already the hour for us to awake from sleep, for our salvation is now nearer than when we became believers. 12 The night has advanced toward dawn; the day is near. So then we must lay aside the works of darkness, and put on the weapons of light. 13 Let us live decently as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in discord and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to arouse its desires.
Matthew Henry Commentary :
Vs. 1- 7. The grace of the gospel teaches us submission and quiet, where pride and the carnal mind only see causes for murmuring and discontent. Whatever the persons in authority over us themselves may be, yet the just power they have, must be submitted to and obeyed. In the general course of human affairs, rulers are not a terror to honest, quiet, and good subjects, but to evil- doers. Such is the power of sin and corruption, that many will be kept back from crimes only by the fear of punishment. Thou hast the benefit of the government, therefore do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to disturb it. This directs private persons to behave quietly and peaceably where God has set them, 1 Timothy 2:1, 2.
Vs 8-10; Christians must not use any trick or fraud. All smuggling, dealing in contraband goods, withholding or evading duties, is rebellion against the express command of God. Thus honest neighbors are robbed, who will have to pay the more; and the crimes of smugglers, and others who join with them, are abetted. It is painful that some professors of the gospel should countenance such dishonest practices. The lesson here taught it becomes all Christians to learn and practice, that the godly in the land will always be found the quiet and the peaceable in the land, whatever others are. Christians must avoid useless expense, and be careful not to contract any debts they have not the power to discharge. They are also to stand aloof from all venturesome speculations and rash engagements, and whatever may expose them to the danger of not rendering to all their due. Do not keep in any one's debt. Give every one his own. Do not spend that on yourselves, which you owe to others. But many who are very sensible of the trouble, think little of the sin, of being in debt. Love to others includes all the duties of the second table. The last five of the ten commandments are all summed up in this royal law, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; with the same sincerity that thou lovest thyself, though not in the same measure and degree. He that loves his neighbor as himself, will desire the welfare of his neighbor. On this is built that golden rule, of doing as we would be done by. Love is a living, active principle of obedience to the whole law. Let us not only avoid injuries to the persons, connections, property, and characters of men; but do no kind or degree of evil to any man, and study to be useful in every station of life
Vs. 11- 14. Four things are here taught, as a Christian's directory for his day's work. When to awake; Now; and to awake out of the sleep of carnal security, sloth, and negligence; out of the sleep of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual deadness. Considering the time; a busy time; a perilous time. Also the salvation nigh at hand. Let us mind our way, and mend our pace, we are nearer our journey's end. Also to make ourselves ready. The night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore it is time to dress ourselves. Observe what we must put off; clothes worn in the night. Cast off the sinful works of darkness. Observe what we must put on; how we should dress our souls. Put on the armour of light. A Christian must reckon himself undressed, if unarmed. The graces of the Spirit are this armour, to secure the soul from Satan's temptations, and the assaults of this present evil world. Put on Christ; that includes all. Put on righteousness of Christ, for justification. Put on the Spirit and grace of Christ, for sanctification. The Lord Jesus Christ must be put on as Lord to rule you as Jesus to save you; and in both, as Christ anointed and appointed by the Father to this ruling, saving work. And how to walk. When we are up and ready, we are not to sit still, but to appear abroad; let us walk. Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to please God, who ever sees us. Walk honestly as in the day; avoiding the works of darkness. Where there are riot and drunkenness, there usually are chambering and wantonness, and strife and envy. Solomon puts these all together, Proverbs 23:29- 35. See what provision to make. Our great care must be to provide for our souls: but must we take no care about our bodies? Yes; but two things are forbidden. Perplexing ourselves with anxious, encumbering care; and indulging ourselves in irregular desires. Natural wants are to be answered, but evil appetites must be checked and denied. To ask meat for our necessities, is our duty, we are taught to pray for daily bread; but to ask meat for our lusts, is provoking God, Psalm 78:18.
First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to read the Word. May God richly and truly bless you for it. Secondly, you may be asking, what does that have to do with what's happening in Ferguson?
Well, let's consider a few things: Our initial introduction to this town began with the shooting and death of a young man, by a police officer. What made it story, was that the officer was white and the young man was black. From that point, the story by numerous outlets, went into a thousand different directions. Leaving behind, the causal foundation of the type society, where member of the government, would believe it has cause to shoot a member that it is supposed to serve. The two questions we have not asked is where does the level of responsibility lie on the citizen, and where does the responsibility lie on that of the government officials? Additionally, have you considered the responsibility of the citizens who routinely do harm to each other on a daily basis. Remember the shootings in Chicago? By the way, these people are black too.
My point is not a political one, but one of responsibility and those who refuse to place Christ first in their daily actions. We may not like the laws that are on the books. But, it doesn't mean that one should find ways to disregard them to satisfy their own desires. Secondly, let's consider our behavior. As a child you may have been taught by parents or some adult about how your appearance and behavior creates a perception. What still holds to this day is that often times, your 1st impression is the only impression that people get. Yes, it is true, racism, sexism, and other culturally biased problems still exist. However, as the Bible is clear in Gal.6:8; "because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit." What does this mean? Every person, whether government official or citizen, is or will be held responsible for their actions. God created life to balance out that way.
What are we doing that draws this level of unwanted attention by the government that is designed to serve us? Even in a low income area or inner-city, behavior and social accountability, plays a major role in how authorities view those who may be a threat to law and order in a society. Education is the largest factor, when given a glimpse of wisdom and discernment, it would be easier for one to realize that if you desire people to take you seriously, then you must 1st take yourself seriously. This is not a meaning of blame, just a fact.
Finally, if we believe that corruption exists within the government "elected by the people and for the people." What steps have been taken by the citizenry to route(sp) it out? The Bible talks about how Daniel through God, dealt with those whom he felt were corrupt and meant him or his colleagues harm (Daniel 3:12-18). We have a better way, yes we can vote, run for office or apply for jobs to place various cultures in jobs to ensure there is a level of diversity which ensures a fair application of the law. However, the better way is to begin with Christ, allow him to come into your life and begin anew.
If you desire another view point, take a look at the following link: "What does the Bible say about Government" http://www.gotquestions.org/Printer/Bible-government-PF.html
Be blessed and have a great week.
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