What Now?
America has spoken. Money and the promise of economic security have won out over morality and the sanctity of life. The Bible, its Author and its readers have been openly mocked by the president elect and his followers, and that was even before they had their victory.
In my last blog I said, "Mr. Obama would not be the president elect of the United States if God had not allowed or caused it to be." I based that statement on Romans 13:1 which reads: "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." They exist through either His permissive or directive will, but He remains sovereign.
My friend Jerri disagrees and left a comment here at the bottom of the page. After you read it, take time to visit her excellent blog.
But I stand by the fact that God is in control and has given "every person" a command to be in "subjection" to civil government. Let us not forget who was in control as Paul wrote this -- the Romans who thought Caesar was “god,” who made a sport of murder, who persecuted believers and would later kill Paul. Consider the fact that the Holy Spirit chose the time and human author to deliver this command. All this stands to authenticate the intent of this scripture.
In my last blog I said, "Mr. Obama would not be the president elect of the United States if God had not allowed or caused it to be." I based that statement on Romans 13:1 which reads: "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." They exist through either His permissive or directive will, but He remains sovereign.
My friend Jerri disagrees and left a comment here at the bottom of the page. After you read it, take time to visit her excellent blog.
But I stand by the fact that God is in control and has given "every person" a command to be in "subjection" to civil government. Let us not forget who was in control as Paul wrote this -- the Romans who thought Caesar was “god,” who made a sport of murder, who persecuted believers and would later kill Paul. Consider the fact that the Holy Spirit chose the time and human author to deliver this command. All this stands to authenticate the intent of this scripture.
Remember Jesus didn't come to overthrow the government, He came to overthrow Satan!
Some say God has had nothing to do with the fact that the likes of Hitler came to power. So, where was God? Asleep? Nothing happens in all creation that God has not allowed or caused, including the Fall in the Garden of Eden. But that does in NO WAY mean He condones or approves of sin or the powers that rise to control nations. He has granted man free agency, we can choose right or wrong, but He is not a helpless bystander and has intervened in man's affairs many times in the course of history. He has a plan and it transcends the temporal.
Thus I say again, Consider the fact that the Holy Spirit chose the time and human author to deliver the command that we be in submission or subjection to the government in place over us. At times Christians will be called to “obey God, rather than men” (see Acts 5:29), but like Daniel and his friends who wouldn't bow down to worship the king, we are to be subject in all things not breaking the commands of our Lord.
So, what now is to be the Christian's stand? Rebellion cannot be it, at least not in the common sense of the word. But we can be in resistance to ungodly rule in prayer, in lawful petition, in peaceful demonstration, editorially and with our votes. Being subject , however, prevents us from the meanness and sarcasm I have witnessed in some believers since the election (and before).
As ever, we all need to become steeped in God's Word, perhaps now with a special emphasis on end times prophecy.
Some say God has had nothing to do with the fact that the likes of Hitler came to power. So, where was God? Asleep? Nothing happens in all creation that God has not allowed or caused, including the Fall in the Garden of Eden. But that does in NO WAY mean He condones or approves of sin or the powers that rise to control nations. He has granted man free agency, we can choose right or wrong, but He is not a helpless bystander and has intervened in man's affairs many times in the course of history. He has a plan and it transcends the temporal.
Thus I say again, Consider the fact that the Holy Spirit chose the time and human author to deliver the command that we be in submission or subjection to the government in place over us. At times Christians will be called to “obey God, rather than men” (see Acts 5:29), but like Daniel and his friends who wouldn't bow down to worship the king, we are to be subject in all things not breaking the commands of our Lord.
So, what now is to be the Christian's stand? Rebellion cannot be it, at least not in the common sense of the word. But we can be in resistance to ungodly rule in prayer, in lawful petition, in peaceful demonstration, editorially and with our votes. Being subject , however, prevents us from the meanness and sarcasm I have witnessed in some believers since the election (and before).
As ever, we all need to become steeped in God's Word, perhaps now with a special emphasis on end times prophecy.
© 2006 by Iona Hoeppner
| 8:47 PM
1 Comments:
when has Obama mocked Christians? It kind of makes me sad the way that folks are reacting to our new President. he is a professed believer and follower of Christ.
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