Put them in mind to be subject
to principalities and powers,
to obey magistrates, to be ready
to every good work, to speak evil
of no man, to be no brawlers, but
gentle, showing all meekness unto
all men.
Titus 3:1-2
This blog has as its heading: Consider Faith: Changing From The Inside/Out. This heading was considered carefully because too many books, or even preaching and teaching give conclusions and statements without resources and without resources those statements, ideas, or even premises, those assertions, leave the hearer or the reader without the benefit of examination (Philippians 5:21). I have attempted to give to the reader of this blog to provide tools for further research and further development so that you, or whoever, may independently critique, use critical thinking of thought, and by analysis draw the truth from Scripture. A serious student of Scripture must recognize what it takes, to have the ability, the endeavor to develop sound thought, not just assimilate information, but to be able to come to a sound Biblical conclusion, to become an Authentic Christian. The subject about government, not just Church government, but secular government and whether or not God requires people to obey, submit to those people, governments that are holding de facto power over them. I will in the next blogs address this fully, but before we must lay down the foundation of what it means to be an Authentic Christian, to have Authentic Christian Faith.
I have written much about our relationship with Jesus Christ and the sum of Jesus' teaching is that our relationship, that which He demands, is impossible, that is it is impossible in our nature, those volition(s) of man to make choices for more often than not he will choose poorly. It is impossible unless it is Jesus Christ, our relationship with Him who is and will do a supernatural work in God's children. I have said it before, the harshest words a person will ever hear comes from Jesus Christ, to deny oneself, to fully convert to Him. Jesus Christ demands, not suggest, demands, that in a person calling himself/herself, a Christian must not have the slightest trace of resentment in their heart. It is not wrong to have enthusiasm towards God, His Son Jesus Christ, it is wrong to misuse enthusiasm as in some euphoric expression, but no enthusiasm will stand the strain of life, let alone the strain that Jesus Christ puts upon His bride. If a person, one who is calling himself/herself a Christian and has even a trace of resentment when meeting tyranny and injustice without a right relationship with Jesus Christ, they will fail the test. God did not say that His children would be insulated from the stresses of life, but He will take a person through it: "Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ" (1Peter 1:6-7): "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you" (1Peter 4:12). "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1Corinthians 10:13). Life may be filled with trials, temptations, fogged to the point of confusion, but God will not allow you to be tried to the point of Him not being able to take you through it, not remove it, to take you through it, and this is possible if your relationship with Jesus Christ is solid, firm, and not altering due to circumstances.
With the world in such turmoil, fighting, wars, problems with the law of the land being challenged for reasons that are in odds with the Constitution, it is easy then to become agitated, to be angry, to be ready to demand and the government will set your demands aside. It is easy then to forget that we have a Savior who will aid us in our efforts to live in a right relationship with Him, and will aid you in your efforts to not allow laws, or decisions that are harmful, not to just Christians but to the world at large. How can we do that and remain faithful to the word of God? This will be the subject of the next blogs and to consider Romans 13, and the above admonition to be subject to authorities.
First we, if we are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we must be changed from the inside/out, and to be made disciples supernaturally and this is possible of we are not being led by our own sinful volition, choices, and dead set on our way, to make the nation we live in to be a theocracy, as is done in Islamic nations. We can fight for truth, in the right way according to Scripture, and we can struggle with all that a government may do, but there is one thing no government can take away from an Authentic Christian and that is eternity with Jesus Christ, that is a done deal. It is sure, it is where you are legally now, so nothing should take you off the narrow road. god never asks us to do the things that are easy, by our natural capacities, He only asks us to to do the things that we are fitted to do by His grace.
Because of so many ideas about how a Christian should handle their lives in regard to a government, I must and will give Scriptural warrant how to do this so that we are not in opposition to God.
Until Monday, get ready for Church, prepare by prayer, and be study of God's word, take notes at Church and then take time after Church to go over those notes with you spouse, children, and friends you may be associated with, for this day is not a day for vacation, it is day to be set aside for God.
For I know the thoughts that
I think toward you, saith the LORD,
thoughts of peace, and not of evil,
to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:11
Hear the Word of God
Richard L. Crumb
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