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7/08/01 Past/Future Articles |
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7/08/01 Past/Future Articles |
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We are living in a time in which the laws of the land and the laws of God mean little or nothing to many people. But no nation or individual can survive without law! God knew this when he created man and we must know that to disobey God's laws, whether they be civil or religious, is to destroy our nation and our souls! Let us now look a little closer at God's word and the subject of keeping the laws of the land and of God.
First of all, in Romans 13:1-2 we read, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained by God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." Friends, you see here that God ordained and stands behind civil law and to scorn it is to scorn God!
In the second place, let us know that God has a law for property. In Exodus 20:15 God said, "Thou shall not steal." This same commandment is also carried over into the New Testament in Romans 12:9. God says you don't have the right to take that which belongs to another! We must respect the property of others!
Thirdly, God has a law for human decency and the right of others. In Matthew 22:39 Jesus said, "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself." We are to "love" our neighbors. The word neighbor means, "one near." This definition is not just limited to the person who lives beside you, it is broad enough to include anybody within reasonable limits and seems to be used in the Bible to refer to all men. If we love our fellowman as ourselves, we will respect his rights!
In fourth place, let it be known that God has a law for young people. In Ephesians 6:1-3 Paul states, "Children obey your parents in the Lord for is is right. Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with thee and thou mayest live long upon the earth." Young people, it may be old fashioned to obey your parents, but it is also anti-Chirst not to do so!
Finally, God has a law for divine authority. Jesus in Matthew 28:19 said, "All authority hath been given unto me in heaven and on earth." In Hebrews 5:9 we read, ". . . he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him." There is no other supreme authority in the Christian religion but Jesus. We must respect and obey his will in all things.
By violating civil and religious laws, we shall reap what we sow in
this life and in the life to come.
john stacy
Bob Craig, Elder