BLESSED EXHORTATION (PART 13)

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Hebrews 13:17

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Some exhortations in the Bible are easier to carry out than others. If you read it enough, you will definitely raise up your voice in a robust proclamation of “Amen!” to that.

But here’s the thing.

Christian believers don’t have an option to deny compliance with what God tells them to do. No one can come before God and tell Him, “No!” like some child who rebels against their parents when they don’t want to do something. If they do, they can expect consequences, just as the defiant child might receive from their parents.

I’m saying this in advance of today’s next to last blessed exhortation, the foundation for this penultimate message of this series. For in a world that is so politically-charged these days, this command from God will get people worked up into a frenzy. Here it is:

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you. Hebrews 13:17

As we go ever deeper into a presidential year in America, you find three polarized and very opposed groups having formed.

There are those who don’t hesitate to attack and degrade the current left-leaning president, longing for their more conservative candidate, one who was a former president.

There are those who are liberal or progressive who hate and despise the former president and so are working hard to promote the current president to reelection.

And then, there is a third group in our nation who cringe at the notion they have to choose either of the front runners from the two major parties and this includes people who hold political loyalty to other, less prominent parties or pledge no political affiliation at all. This last group also is composed of people within either major political party who might trend more moderate and be inclined for a third-party candidate or independent.

Yes, politics seems to dominate the American landscape and news coverage these days and all the more reason why today command is important. For it runs completely counter to the way many Christians are behaving and conducting themselves when it comes to politics.

In support of the next to last blessed exhortation in Hebrews 13, it’s important to remember this passage from Paul’s letter to the Romans, perhaps the most significant part of the New Testament after the Gospels and the Book of Revelation. Coincidentally, these words also come from chapter 13 as Paul writes the following:

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Vv. 1-5

The Roman Empire was as oppressive as it gets when we talk about a ruling government, especially for people who weren’t Roman citizens. And yet, into the midst of that environment, the Word of God spoken through His Apostle Paul by way of the Holy Spirit demanded that “everyone be subject to the governing authorities”...and everyone means everyone.

The same applies today. No matter what a Christian’s political views or attitudes are, they are to be subject to the governing authorities in place.

Why?

Because whether going back to first century Christianity, looking at present twenty-first century Christianity, or any eras of Christianity in between, “there is no authority except that which God has established” and “the authorities that exist (or have existed) have been established by God.” Therefore, anyone who “rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

Let that sink in for a minute and then ask yourself whether or not you, as a Christian, are being compliant with the very command of God’s word in the way you behave within your political attitudes...your thoughts, your words, and your actions.

People who aren’t in Christ do what they want because they reject the Lord and His ways. Christians aren’t the same and so they shouldn’t behave the same. They are to be set apart from the world, not knee-deep in it with non-believers and behaving as they do.

Now, given that, Christians need to also consider this because it’s further spiritual food from God’s word to help strengthen them towards the reforming obedience that these words from the scriptures bring. For if God appoints all governing leaders, if He is the One who blesses them with the opportunity to lead, direct, and care for His people, then every governing authority answers to Him for what they do and He will bring judgment on them for sinning against Him as they carry out the duties of their position.

The scriptures are full of examples of leaders who failed to give their attention to God and instead chose evil (read 1 and 2 Kings, for example). All of them faced God’s wrath and judgment for their transgressions.

We also need to consider that God can and will place wicked leaders in place to bring judgment on His people. Yes, in America we boast about our freedom to select candidates to elect and then choose the one who garners the most votes. But by what criteria are the candidates being chosen? Are the people consulting God as to who He wants them to elect? I would say that’s not happening so no one should be surprised when our governing authorities are as they are. For if everyone in the nation was of one heart and mind with God, they would select the absolute best leader every single time and be blessed by that choice because it would have been driven by God and not man.

Okay, so what are you going to do with today’s blessed exhortation if you’re reading this and are a Christian?

You have no choice but to comply with it and should do so, not out of compulsion but because you trust in God to take care of things, just as He has always done. You should do so “as a matter of conscience”, driven to right and righteous thinking by the Holy Spirit.

For if you choose to rebel against this command of the Lord, then the scriptures are clear regarding what will happen for you will “bring judgment” on yourself.

The call from God is to “submit to the authorities” and have confidence in your leaders. They are where they are because of God and they are accountable to Him for how they lead.

Oh, and one last thing.

Keep in mind the words of the prophet Isaiah when he was foretelling the coming of our Savior Jesus, the Lord of all lords.

Didn’t he say this about Jesus?

For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.

And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6-7

As one of my favorite sayings goes in regard to the highest elected position in America:

“No matter who is President, Jesus is King.”

Place your hope and trust in Him...seek to be more like Him every day...worship Him more than anything and anyone, especially a political figure...and remember that through Him, your eternal future is secure.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, through Jesus, everything is going to be alright, now and forever more, no matter what the world might do or who God might place in authority on earth.

Believe in that and find peace.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.