Musing – Do We Have To Do Everything We Are Told To Do?

 

Hebraic Musing – Do We Have To Do Everything We Are Told To Do?

We’ve all dealt with this question as children, AND we still face this in so many ways even now as adults.  How we respond depends on which authorities we respect, and why we respect them.  Simply put, we respect an authority based upon the reward/punishment we will receive if we do or don’t obey.  For Example:
 - Children obey their parents because there are rewards/punishments – Candy or missed meals, etc.
 - School kids obey teachers who have the power to give a good or bad grades, or trip to the principal’s office.
 - Employees obey the boss who has the power to adjust our wages (reward) or to fire us.
 - Drivers obey the traffic laws because police wave to you or can ticket you or worse. (Is “only 10 over” okay?)
 - Privates obey the sergeant to avoid having to do push-ups, or brig time.
 - Taxpayers obey the government's rules to avoid penalties.

Then we get “saved” and we have a new boss, the Lord.  And what does He tell us to do?  In Romans 13:1-3 He tells us to submit to the Government.  “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority?  Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.” NKJV      We learned to listen to elders & authority at an early age – do what Daddy or Mommy says and you won’t get a whooping. 

If we bend the rule by cheating or lying, we have violated the world’s authority, but is our Lord okay with it?  Obviously not!  That’s sin.  The Bible clearly reminds us to obey the authorities that God has set over us.

BUT when you get saved, you made Jesus and His Word your Lord.  There may be times when the world’s authorities and instructions conflict with what His Word tells us to be doing?  Then what?!?!   What are we good Bible-abiding Christians to do when a World-View conflicts with the Biblical-View?  For example:
 - Abortion has been legal by our State or country, but does the convenient solution conflict with God’s view?
 - Increasing the deduction on the tax return will increase the refund.
 - Certain mind-altering Drugs are deemed legal by some States.
 - Gender confusion promotion and gender altering options are available.
 - Racial discrimination, Parental rights challenges, Pandemic rules, Biased Media reporting, etc.
Pursuit of Peace, Prosperity & Greed can take precedence in decisions; but might Almighty God be offended?

The Real Challenge – What to do when the World’s Authority is in conflict with Our Lord’s Word?  What to do if the Biblical-View conflicts with the World-View?  The Biblical principal is to render obedience to the law(s) of the land wherever we can unless our doing so conflicts with our obedience to God.*   A memorable example – Early Christians were willing to face the lions rather that declare Caesar as their Lord!

Is this the first time the world has faced corrupt and ungodly governing authorities?  Consider Pharoah, Assyrians, Caesars, Hitler and many others throughout history to greater or lesser degrees. 

Points to Ponder

Might we sometimes have to separate the Church and the State?  March 29^th headline for Example:
“Nancy Pelosi instructs Americans to vote on how politics will impact 'your life,' not 'your religion'.”

How are we to know the “Biblical View”?  (Dumb question!)

Which authority is supreme in your life, the World’s or the Lord’s?
Who provides the longest-lasting reward or punishment?  Who has the larger staff and rod?

The LORD told Joshua five times to “be strong and of good courage”.  Does He tell that to us also?

Might the confronting of sin in our World be a way of witnessing?

“Only be strong and of good courage.”

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          April 18, 2023
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com

*  Quotes & inspiration from - R.C. Sproul’s “LIFEVIEWS – Make a Christian impact on culture and society”; 1984