Respecting Civil Authorities

Concerning Civil Government.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For the power which exists anywhere is ordained of God. Whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For he beareth not the sword in vain; for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Rom. 13:1-4.

Small Catechism/Table of Duties:  http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php

 

We see more and more disrespect for our elected officials and public servants as each year passes. Unless, it clearly goes against the word and the will of God there is no excuse for the public to persecute these men and women so unjustly. I am old enough to remember a time when whether we particularly liked our president or not, we still respected the office of the President of the United States and we showed it. It's not all that apparent today. There are peaceful means in place to replace them. If the majority wants someone out of office they will use those means. We do not have to become so ugly that we look like bullies to do it.

 

A person gets stopped because of a possible traffic violation and instead of cooperating choose to disrespect the person stopping them by refusing to cooperate. A neighbor reports unruly behavior and instead of responding calmly to the officers or possibly protective service workers who show up at your door; they are met by all sorts of disrespectful attitudes and behavior. That is surely not God's will. Those men and women responding are there to ensure that you and all of your household are safe and well.

 

It is not God's will that we should set ourselves in such a high place that we think that we are above the law of the land. The law of the land is not just for everyone else. It is for all people. It is not God's will that we should act like uncooperative bullies; but, to use the system that has been set in place for the good of all people. Use the system to try to change the system if it needs changing. Violence against others is not the way to get what you might want. Those who would encourage unpeaceful protests that result in harm to others as well as the property of others are those who go against the will of God. He is the provider of all. We don't get to destroy the property of others and still say that we are doing God's will.

 

God's will is for the good of all people; not just for you; not just for the few.

 

May God help us to live peacefully in the land.

 

Pr. J

Do not Steal: Stealing and Semantics

The Seventh Commandment.

Thou shalt not steal.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not take our neighbor's money or property, nor get them by false ware or dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and business [that his means are preserved and his condition is improved].
(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

Recently, I spoke with a woman who swore that she had never stolen any money. She was quite adamant, in spite of the fact, that she had been convicted of credit card fraud. She could not relate stealing to using someone else's identity to obtain credit cards. Frankly, this conversation was pretty frustrating. It is beyond me how someone can steal something, get caught, go to prison and still deny that they have ever stolen anything. Of course, this person did not claim to be a Christian. But, she does claim to be a "good" person because according to her she has never stolen (paper) money. Semantics! It sort of reminds me of my grandchildren. I use to make the mistake of asking them who they were talking to when they were busy on their cell phones. Their response was usually "no one." Of course, they weren't talking to anyone. They were texting or messaging. Now, I ask, "With whom are you communicating?" That seems to cover most everything they might be doing on their phones. Semantics!

Semantics won't make one less a thief. Either you have stolen from someone or not. It's best to be "Not!" It is also best not to be compounding the sin by lying about it. Confess and live in a way that brings peace and harmony to life with your neighbors. As Christians, we are not only commanded to not take our neighbor's property or money; we are to do all that we can to help our neighbor keep his or her property and even improve it. Whenever we do anything unjustly that would cause our neighbor to lose use or possession of his property we are stealing whether we end up with physical possession of the property or not. All the semantics in the world will not justify our sins. Only the blood of Jesus will justify.

May God help us to help and support our neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Romans 13:1-7 Do Not Resist Arrest

Romans 13:1-7 NIV
Ok.. I've been waiting for this lesson.

Message for the day: If you are asked by an officer of the law to stop; STOP. Do not attempt to flee. Do not resist arrest. Do not assault the officer in any manner; physically or verbally. Just, don't do it. It's not the way to go. It will not turn out well for you or anyone else.

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience." (vs 1-5)

There are ways to peacefully protest. Harming or attempting to harm police officers or civilians who might get in the way is definitely not the way to go. Looting or damaging the property others have worked hard to obtain or maintain is definitely not the way in which a Christian would go.

May God grant us peaceful resolutions and reconciliation. May He help us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Remember that Jesus did not raise a hand to defend himself nor would he allow his disciples to fight when he was arrested.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Acts 5:1-10 Lying To God.

Acts 5:1-10 NIV
I have been lied to and about so many times that there is no way that I could even count the times. We all have. Frankly, it makes me a bit weary. Sometimes, the lies are used to make someone look like someone they are not; like they are in the right and are doing good for others; while they are in truth, not.

Ananias and his wife Sapphira attempted to make themselves look righteous. They wanted to look as generous as the others who had sold their property and gave the proceeds to the church for the good of all of the people. But, they withheld some. Their sin was not in keeping some for themselves. The sin was in attempting to lie to God the Holy Spirit. God knows everything we say and think and do. It is just a bad idea to try telling God lies. The humans that we might tell lies to; usually know that we are not telling the whole truth, as well. We may not be able to prove the lies; but, God knows the truth.

The rest of the story for Ananias and Sapphira was that when they lied to Peter and to God, they died. They died immediately. When we lie to protect ourselves and our own egos; a bit of us dies inside, as well. We are not who we were or who we can be in Christ Jesus. Make every effort then to speak and live in the truth with integrity.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 12:1-17 God's Property

Mark 12:1-17 NIV
Every Sunday I give thanks, publicly at worship, to God for all that He has given us. Every Sunday, I wonder if everyone really gets its. All that we have are gifts from God, given to us for use for the good of not just us, but for all people, for the glory of God. He is the landowner and we would put his Son to death over and over again in order to keep those things that God has given for our own glory rather than His.

When we are gone from this earth we will leave many possessions behind. Others will get to choose what is done with them; whether they are used for God's glory; whether they are used to grow the Kingdom.

Give to God what is God's. Does not everything ultimately belong to Him?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 49 - Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Property

I went shopping with my son and grandchildren last night.  It was a rather pleasant experience.  I never heard this once:  "Buy me ......" I think I should go with my son more often.  Either his presence keeps them from asking me for stuff or maybe they're asking him!  Of course, there is always the possibility that there is nothing left to "buy" them. There is nothing left that they really want.  That would be a really good thing.  Is it too much to hope for?

I have spent many a year trying to get them to understand that wasting one's life in the pursuit of having everything that all of the neighbors have is really a waste of one's life.  There are many more fulfilling things to do with our lives than to fill our homes with clutter that we don't really want - stuff that will just sit on shelves in need of dusting.  Things... stuff.... clutter... they will not bring you happiness.  It is much better to seek those things which will.  Seek ye first the kingdom of God.

Hopefully, we have all heard the phrase: "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness," found in the United States Declaration of Independence.  But, did you know that Thomas Jefferson's draft was actually "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Property"?  In their wisdom, our forefather's changed it.  Someone must have figured out that happiness is far better than property and that property does not necessarily lead to happiness.

What can property buy you?  Only more things and in this world today, higher taxes.  Actually, owning property is not a bad thing in and of itself.  It depends on how it is used.  Rich or poor, is it used for the glory of God? 

But, the constant pursuit of wealth, simply because we want what our neighbors want is not a good thing. Psalm 49 warns us that no matter how much money we have, it is not enough to save our lives.  There is not enough ransom that we can pay to redeem the life of another.  Everyone will die. Rich and poor alike will die.

"This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them." (vs 13-17 NIV)

Money will not buy you happiness.  Money will never buy you eternal life.  It cannot be used as a ransom for your life.  One more scripture for to think about this morning concerning the one and only who is able to ransom your life - who is able - when you die - to rise you up in the morning.

"Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—  just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Matt 25-28)

Do not trust in money, in property, in your own power or prestige.  For happiness, for joy, for peace that surpasses all understanding, (Philippians 4:7) trust in the LORD, your God.  Trust in you LORD, Jesus the Christ.  There is only one way to eternal life.  Money cannot buy it.  Jesus is the way. Your life has been ransomed by the precious blood of Christ.  Seek first His Kingdom!

God's Peace be with you. Pr. J