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

You Shall Not Kill

The Fifth Commandment.

Thou shalt not kill.

What does this mean?--Answer.
We should fear and love God that we may not hurt nor harm our neighbor in his body, but help and befriend him in every bodily need [in every need and danger of life and body].

(http://bookofconcord.org/smallcatechism.php)

 

Many years ago, while we were living in Rota, Spain, a young Marine was released from Spanish prison. His crime had been that he had witnessed a taxi cab driver being beaten and he had not gone to his aid.

 

So many times witnesses to crimes will not only not aid the victim; they do not even have the courage or integrity to come forward as witnesses so that the suspect can be duly prosecuted. We don't like to make enemies. We may fear for our own safety or we might think that the crime was justified or maybe we just don't care; so we do nothing.

 

We learn that the fifth commandment goes beyond commanding us to not personally kill anyone; but, that we are to befriend and even defend those who are in any danger.

 

May God help us to love enough to be willing to step forward and help and befriend our neighbors in every need.

 

God's Peace - Pr. J

2 Timothy 4 - Preach The Word No Matter What

2 Timothy 4 NIV

Monastery at Valaam, Russia

Paul is anticipating his death and so closes this letter to Timothy encouraging him to come quickly to even while he gives Timothy instruction on ministry. "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction," he writes. (vs 2) 

Just as the many deserted Jesus in his last hours, Paul finds that many have deserted him. He warns Timothy to especially watch out for Alexander who did him great harm. There are those who have and will turn their ears away from truth and turn aside to myths. They will listen only to what will please their itching ears. They will come up against you for proclaiming the truth. Keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all duties of your ministry. (vs 3-4)

It is not easy to proclaim the message of God in Christ Jesus. There will be many who will want you out of their lives, even dead. They do not want to hear the truth. The Word of God, is after all, a two-edged sword: one edge to stab the conscience; the other to heal the wounded soul. Be aware of those who would attack you for the truth. But, do not worry unduly about them for God is with you and for you. With patience, continue to proclaim the good news to all who would hear.

"The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all." (vs 22)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Romans 13:8-10 Abide in Love

Romans 13:8-10 NIV
Love does no harm. So, then why are so many relationships in trouble?

I would submit that for the most part human beings simply have a difficult time loving others as they love themselves. The ego takes over and we put ourselves before others; before God. What we want is what we will have no matter who it hurts.

But, if we turn and abide in Christ and He in us then Christ' love; his light, will shine through us and relationships will be restored. Christ's love is love that does not harm others. It reconciles rather than divides.

May the love of Christ abide in and through us, now and forever. Amen.

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Romans 8:31-39 Our Father Loves You

Romans 8:31-39 NIV
The love of a parent for a child is beyond comprehension. Most human parents will go to all lengths to protect and guide their children. There are even times when, because we are human, a parent's love actually enables our children; harming their futures. There also may be times when something comes between a parent and a child; but, that does not mean that the parent stops loving them no matter what their children may have done.

As I have witnessed this love between parents and children, I have often thought; so how does our Father in heaven feel when we go astray; when we do what we ought not or fail to do those things that we ought to be doing; when we turn our backs on Him; when we reject His good gifts and receive worldly favors of false gods? No matter what influences might come into our lives that would estrange us from our Father in heaven; Paul tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Of course, God knows you personally, because He is your Father and He will always love you. May He help us to love Him more, because He loves us so.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Ezekiel 31 - Trees Falling

"Consider Assyria, once a cedar in Lebanon,
    with beautiful branches overshadowing the forest;
it towered on high,
    its top above the thick foliage." (Ezekiel 30:3 NIV)

Pharaoh is warned, even though Egypt stands tall like a tree towering over everything; Assyria once stood even taller. But, for its pride it came crashing down at the hand of God. So shall Egypt fall.

There was a huge pine, over 80 feet tall, not many feet from our home. It was a beautiful tree, towering above the others. It existed until this summer. It had grown so large that we knew if it ever fell that there would be nothing left to our home. It had grown too big and had become a danger. We had it taken down this summer so that it would not come crashing down on us. Sometimes God's people (and governments) get too big... We are in danger of causing others harm and God has to cut us down to size (prune us) or let us crash where we can do the least harm to others. 

Again, those who have ears, hear the warning from Proverbs: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Prov 16:18)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Jeremiah 12 - Justice

Jeremiah wants to know about God's justice. He's not a happy camper. He wants to know why the way of the wicked prospers and the faithless live at ease. This is an age-old question. We continue to ask why and when God will put a stop to the injustice in the world.

It is difficult to watch people whom we love suffer from the injustice of the world - of not being loved or cared for - when they are alone or hurting. It is most difficult to see those who do not worship the LORD trample on the hearts and minds of those who do.

But, if we think that the LORD does not see and will not act (Jer 12:4); then we are mistaken. The LORD will act. He will uproot us and send us far away from Him, from the land (vs 14), from His people. But, if we repent... He will restore us and bring us back. He will establish among His people those who were once estranged from Him. (vs 15-16)

The LORD sees... let us, as this new year begins, return to the LORD and with compassion help and do not harm our neighbors.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 6 - Worst Sin

More words of wisdom, words of warning not to stray from the path.  Proverbs 6 also warns against adultery as well as some other things that will keep you from a closer relationship with God and with your neighbor.

There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)

I ask every one of my confirmation classes what the worst sin is. Of course, the response is always murder. I then proceed to go through all ten commandments and teach them how breaking any one of the ten commandments can lead to the death, the murder, of, either or both, the body and the spirit. It usually opens at least one or two eyes to the fact that things like gossiping, bullying, lying, and adultery can actually contribute to physical or spiritual death.  All sin, no matter what it is, drives a wedge between us and God as well as our neighbors.

Proverbs 6 also reminds us that if we keep to our own business, the work that is needed to support ourselves and our families, we won't have time to be burying our neighbors with the words of our lips or our actions.  Be wise, work hard, sleep well, and do no harm to your neighbor.

And... may the peace of the LORD be with you all...  Pr. J

Psalm 14 - Common As Eating Bread

Sin was common place in David's time.  It is in our time, as well.  David compares it to being as common as eating bread.  That is something most of the world does daily.  We do it without even thinking; just as we sin against God; just as we do harm to one another, without even thinking.  We all turn our backs against God, rebelling in our unbelief.

How sad it is, that we who are called the children of God, do not do all that we can do to glorify His Holy Name, that all might hear and believe.  But, God has a plan - a plan to save us from ourselves - from sin - from death - from the devil.  Out of Zion, he raised up our Saviour, a light to the world, that all might see and hear and believe. 

Believe!  What David is talking about in this Psalm is a pretty specific sin that leads to the sin of harming others.  That sin is unbelief. It is unbelief, turning our backs on God, that allows grievous mischief in this world, that in turn leads others away from faith in God.  It is by faith, that we are saved.  Thanks be to God, for His mercy endures forever!

God's Peace - Pr. J