> General Discussions
Obeying Civil Authorities
Dennis Vogel:
Watch this five minute video: https://youtu.be/DALXJvHxMjs
Which ever side you are on realize that the other side believes just as strongly as you that they are right (and you are wrong).
Rocco:
Joseph had a humble and obedient attitude to do what was a command of government, certainly being in Bethlehem at the exact time was ordained of the Father and was fulfilled. There certainly was a lot of resentment of Rome at that time and I would have been tempted to find every excuse not to go, kind of like trying to get out of jury duty. I believe that child like faith is trusting and obeying our Father and can be snuffed out by the cares of the world. My point I guess is this; when we react in a way that feels right it could be wrong and we might even find ourselves resisting God and even praying for things that oppose what God has ordained. I do feel at this time that I will refuse any vaccine or forced medical procedure because I no longer trust the intentions of these so called experts and authorities to do anything to this temple of God. But other than that i'll submit and if punished for it so be it. We are called sheep and sometimes sheep get slaughtered.
Rom 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36
As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Dave in Tenn:
"In those days there was no king in Israel and every man did what was right in his own eyes.". Appealing? Or appalling?
How about just par for the course?
I believe this sword He weilds--sharper than a two-edged sword, able to spiritually cut asunder--is dividing this world of humanity much more sharply and accurately than simply us against them. Two men can be doing the same thing--one is taken, the other left. We have zero control over our motivations, and they are the things that make many of the same actions "right" for one man and wicked for another despite appearances of sameness. No man can follow Him except the Father drag him. And many who had been following, on hearing this, followed Him no more. I reckon it's still happening, though many just return to their pews.
Nobody has a genuine choice in their ultimate calling. Nobody can change themselves by themselves. Nobody can "help it". Everybody does what is right in their own eyes. Everybody serves somebody. Nobody is free. Jesus is Lord.
Some are disturbed by commercial media, but think nothing of gluing themselves to bloodless algorithms on social media designed to feed bias and keep them "engaged" even if it means directing them to more and more extreme versions of their preferred "truth". Gaurd your minds...and use them.
lareli:
Who are the authorities though? The ‘authorities’ seem just as divided as the people at this moment in society.. Presidents, Governors, Mayors, Police Chiefs.. they all seem to be picking one side over the other and they do not agree. I suppose we will have to consult the spirit within us in order to know what to obey and disobey.
Rocco:
Lareli, that's a good point Who to obey or disobey when government leaders seem confused and to disagree. Here in California our Governor is a little less extreme than Oregon or Washington but more extreme than Texas or Georgia. However we have Mayors and Sheriffs here that state that they will not enforce some of the Governors edicts even to point where one town city council has declared itself a "sanctuary city" for small businesses to do whatever they want to do. I personally will try and obey or a least respect the local leaders as far as wearing a mask, keeping 6ft apart when asked to do so, kind of a "When in Rome" approach. I realize too that its not my small business that I have to watch go up in flames, I really feel bad for these people and my natural instinct is to want to lock arms with them and protest at the state capitol which is only about 3 miles away from my home. I'm still working at 50% schedule with unemployment benefits making up the rest. The state and Fed benefits are so generous that I'm already seeing where some people are not wanting to return to work even when their job is available again. Some senators warned about this but they were shut down and I'm sure called heartless. Lots of questions and complicated issues we are facing and I think as Christians we need to discuss how to respond or at least what to think scripturally on these issues. The first Christians had to decide on circumcision in a very heated debate about a huge issue. I agree with you and I know that the Spirit will show us what we should do but maybe it will be at a time when its absolutely necessary to know like in the following verse
Mat 10:19
But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
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