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Oh To Be Wise Meditations
How does God view the role of government? Adam and Eve had one law to follow. From the time of Abraham to the time of Moses there was no law written down, only the conscience to appeal to. Then from Israel to the time of Christ was a theocracy different from all the others nations, reflecting the vain pursuit of human government trying to be wiser and better than God's commands. Humanity has been trying to govern themselves ever since the fall of man. Sin has forced the creation of so many kinds of different governments, all operating in their own ideology and beliefs. God has allowed generation after generation to pursue greatness and prosperity. Nations rise and fall and governments can change so quickly. Though many stay stuck in immoral traditions. I think about Jesus coming to earth at a time where Rome was dominating the world. Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." He allowed government to exist and it eventually subdued him. But obviously Jesus saved the whole world through his crucifixion in Rome. God calls us to be in the world but not of the world, the way Jesus lived when He was on earth. Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Think about what Jesus is calling us to do. Live as free people even though you may live in an oppressive government. Why? So that our lives may be a testimony to the glory of God. Maybe like a spiritual thermometer for society to see the wisdom of God working in your life. There are challenges to government and I know that. Social justice is a cause worth fighting for but we need to have God as our platform if we are truly Christians. In these times we are living in the world tells you to vote and the change the world. May we as believers always honor God with what we do and not just what we say. I would rather be practicing righteousness in my life than just to speak about in no real way. Scripture says, Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. LORD, help me to honor and respect the role of government even if I don't agree with everything that comes out. Let me be a moral light to societies ills. May your wisdom shine through my life so that I may be a blessing to my community and society. There will always be political argument in a sinful world. But may there be no confusion in the body of Christ of what is moral and what is not. God help us, even this is a challenge for all believers.
Meditate Titus 3:1-2
