OUR DUTY TO CIVIL LAW!

 

Friday, September 4, 2020

 

OUR DUTY TO CIVIL LAW!

 

Rom 13:1-7

13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; 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.

5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.

7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

 

           Christians are good citizens! Wherever Christianity is dominant the land enjoys peace. One of the reasons is that the Bible specifically tells us to be good citizens. We are urged to respect those in authority even when we do not agree with them. We are told to pay our taxes which the Bible calls “tribute.” We are told to do this not out of fear but “for conscience sake” or as a matter of principle.

 

           Christians do not riot in the streets. We do not dance wildly in the streets nor burn and loot indiscriminately. We wait for the slow wheels of justice to grind out the truth. The book of James explains that we are peacemakers.

 

James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

 

           We must remember that Paul wrote Romans 13 while under the thumb of Rome. The great persecutions had not yet begun but soon Christians would be wrapped in waxed fabric and tied to poles and set ablaze to light the patio parties of despotic leaders. Even so, Christians are told to be people of peace.

 

           We are now approaching what I believe to be the threshold of great persecution for Christians. I wonder if we are up to the task. I wonder if our relationship to God is strong enough to endure abuse. I wonder if we are weighty enough to remain after the winnowing wind of harsh rule or will we be driven away like the chaff.

 

Dear God, those of us who have been so used to the prosperity gospel are ill-equipped for the approach of martyrdom. Let us resort to thy bosom. Let us seek after thy wisdom. Let us assume thy nature and, if it be necessary that we die, let others come to life as a result. AMEN

WRITE IT BIG!

 

Thursday, September 3, 2020

 

WRITE IT BIG!

 

Hab 2:2-3

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

 

Heb 10:37

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

 

           Those who advertise on highway billboards know that their message must be short, plain, and big enough to be read by those travelling at a high rate of speed. This is the meaning of the words in Habakkuk 2:2 which says, “that he may run that readeth it.” The Amplified New Testament says: “that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by.”

 

            It won’t be long now! We know the seasons and the signs of the Lord’s return and they are everywhere. Globalism, universalism, and interdenominationalism are growing in popularity while nationalism, individualism, and orthodoxy are waning. To me, nationalism is less about pride than loyalty. Individualism recognizes diversity with responsibility. Orthodoxy acknowledges that some things are correct and other things are wrong. Our world is a drowning in a sea of opinions, most of them wrong.

 

           The believer’s heart longs for the end of it all even as much as we dread it. The just shall live by faith by his conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things. Nothing makes sense otherwise.

 

           Researcher, Thomas S. Rainer, is currently predicting the end of “church” as we know it. People have grown accustomed to “worship” in their pajamas in front of a computer monitor. But, if we reduce church to a classic rock and roll radio station which we can access at our whim, who will sit with the grieving? Who will stand by the bedside of the sick and lay a hand on the fevered brow? Who will guide the uncertain and offer forgiveness to the wayward? Fellowship will become a pool party with your choice of beverage. No, church is more than all of that.

 

Dear Lord, we wonder how much worse things can get down here and we long for your coming. Even so, come quickly. AMEN

HE TRADED PLACES WITH ME!

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

 

HE TRADED PLACES WITH ME!

 

Isa 53:4-5

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

 

2 Cor 5:21

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

           I often wonder why Jesus traded places with me and just what that means regarding individual benefits. It is a worthy thought process and time consuming.

 

         He traded His righteousness for my sin and all my sins. I doubt I will be able to explain it but I will try. His purity was exchanged for my wickedness. I am now, in the sight of God, as pure as God’s Son. All charges against me have been not only “dropped” but expunged and forgotten. Yet, I remember them all too well on too many occasions.

 

           He traded His life for my sentence of death. Paul tried to explain it and came very close to doing so. Gal 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” I know that the sentence of physical death still reigns in me for “it is appointed unto man once to die.” Hebrews 9:27

 

           He traded His health for my sickness! With the marks from the lashes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 Pacificationum nostrarum, "our pacification;" that by which we are brought into a state of peace and favour with God. (from Adam Clarke's Commentary)

 

           He traded his free access to the Father for my outcast condition. On the Cross the Father turned his face away and the sun refused to shine. We now have boldness to enter the holiest place. Hebrews 10:19

 

Rom 11:33

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

 

Dear Lord, Thank you for the inconceivable, unsearchable, and inexhaustible blessings I own because you traded places with me. AMEN