Government: Gossip and the Law of Nations

Dealing with government injustice comes from the failure to appoint and support wise leaders. Being responsible citizens for our nation, there is no limit to need for relationship and Christian convictions. Pray for government leaders.

At times, you may be surrounded by people who gossip endlessly about leaders. Verbal cruelty can damage you as much as the subject of the gossip. Rather than speaking with hateful words, like David you can talk to God about your concerns and problems. That is God’s provision for you as His joint Heir.

Because of Satan and original sin, national leaders are bound by sin and iniquity. Often times, leaders and politicians are able to commit sins in private without public knowledge. At times, the sin overflows into public life. Leaders may have sexual sin, assault others with loose talk and create laws that run counter to good governance. (Psalm 57:4; Deuteronomy 16:15-20)

The Israelites faced a great problem when they arrived in the Promised Land. Although the Israelites had Joshua as their spiritual and national leader, they utterly failed to complete their task of cleansing the land. As the nation matured, they would often fail to choose and support spiritual leaders who would lead the tribe, districts and cities with justice and God’s wisdom.

Because they did have wise judges and faithful administrators, rebellion and injustice plagued their land. It is a serious responsibility when you have the opportunity to appoint or elect wise and just officials. In your realm of influence at home, church, school and job, are you ensuring that justice and godliness prevail? Failing to choose leaders who hold up justice can lead to much trouble. This is exactly what Israel discovered. Today is no different.

The book of Matthew shows that the disciples didn’t fully comprehend the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection until Pentecost. Disciples can be slow to fully understand and appreciate the full range of Christian truth.

The disciples were with Jesus much of the time, heard His words and witnessed miracles and still had difficulty understanding. Despite their doubts, misunderstandings and questions, they put their trust in Him. They believed that we should do no less.

His disciples failed to understand why Jesus kept talking about His death. Jewish culture was steeped in the idea that a Messiah would come to establish an earthly kingdom. Because of this influence, his disciples expected Jesus to set up a political kingdom. They though His death would crush their hopes. They didn’t understand that Jesus’ death and resurrection would make God’s Kingdom on earth possible. He told His disciples what they needed to know by talking about what would make His Kingdom possible.

All Jewish men had to pay a temple tax to support upkeep of the temple. (Exodus 30:11-16) Tax collectors set up booths to collect the taxes. Only Matthew records this incident; perhaps because Matthew had been a tax collector himself.

As God’s people, we are foreigners on earth. Our loyalty is always to our real King: Jesus Christ. While we need to cooperate to the degree possible with earthly authorities, we are ambassadors to another country. By keeping local laws in order to represent His Kingdom, we prove that we are ambassadors for Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20). Are you acting as a foreign ambassador for Christ to eyes of the world? (Luke 20:20-26)

God’s followers have legitimate obligations to both God and earthly governments. Keeping Christian priorities straight is very important. When two authorities conflict, personal duty and devotion to God always must come first.

Now we can move from the theological to the practical. Paul gave guidelines for living as a redeemed people in a fallen world. We are to give ourselves to Christ as living sacrifices. Christians are to strive to obey governmental authority, love our neighbors and take special care of those who are weak in the faith.

In Romans 12:1, Paul remarks that we must learn to live by faith each day. As a Christian, you first accountability is to God through Jesus Christ. Christians are not above earthly law. Obeying civil law is only the beginning of Christian duty. We must do what we can to be good citizens while upholding the principles of God’s Kingdom. (Acts 5:29; Romans 13:1)

Government rule is never to force disciples to disobey God. Jesus gave disciples the supreme example that we can look to in conduct and deed. When in doubt, we can trust the lifestyle of Jesus.

Jesus and his apostles did not disobey authority for personal reasons. Disobedience to earthly rule was in order to follow the higher authority of God’s Kingdom. Obedience to God is not cheap. The disciples were threatened, beaten, tortured, thrown in jail and executed for their conviction. If Christians are compelled to disobey, we must be prepared to accept the consequences.

Faithful disciples are to live at peace as long as the state allows us to live by Christian conviction. There have been at least three interpretations of how we are to carry out Christian conviction.

1. Some Christians believe that the state is corrupt and that Christians should have as little to do with organized government as possible. Although they work to be honorable citizens, they do so as long as they don’t compromise their beliefs. Working for the government is often unacceptable. Voting in elections and serving in the military may be out of the question. God and government are generally held to be totally different spheres.
2. Others believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others. The general outlook is that Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either. In some cases, the lines between the two authorities are blurred and indistinct.
3. Others believe that Christians have the responsibility have the responsibility to make the world a better place through politics and government and to make the state better. Christians can be politicians or active in politics. They work to serve morally by serving as an influence for good in society. In this viewpoint, the church and state work in harmony for the same goals or at least for the good of all.

None of these visions of Christianity advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey governmental laws unless laws clearly require disciples to violate the moral standards revealed by God in the Bible.

Regardless of your personal position as a Christian, respect for earthly authority is required. We are required to be respectful citizens. Upright people have little reason to fear earthly authority. Generally, when Christians do their duty, officials do their duty and treat Christians with respect. There is nothing to fear because of good conduct.

Ruth Greene Charts in Australia: #1 for Third Week

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Independent Gospel Artist Ruth Greene tops the charts again in Australia for the third week in a row. For the week of April 6, 2008 Ruth Greene topped the independent Christian chart. To listen to a complete collection of Ruth Greene’s latest music, visit http://www.mp3.com.au/ruthgreene.

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Ruth Greene Tops Australia Gospel Chart – Week 2

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Independent Gospel Artist Ruth Greene tops the charts again in Australia for the second week in a row. This week, Ruth Greene ranked 3rd in the independent Christian chart. To listen to a complete collection of Ruth Greene’s latest music, visit http://www.mp3.com.au/ruthgreene.

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