Wednesday, November 18, 2020

ARE CHRISTIANS DUPLICATING THE WICKEDNESS OF ISRAEL?

There are only two ways of life. One is called the way of the Spirit known as the straight and narrow way. It is the way of life and blessings, where God rules supreme. He is the Shepherd, and we are the sheep of His pasture. The other way is the alternative way which God allows, and sanctioned for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you His people” (1Samuel 12:22).
This way is the way of man. It is the wide gate and broad way, which leads to destruction and curses. This way of life is conditional. If those who are placed in God’s position be it as king, healer, advocate, provider, etc. are God fearing people who serves him in truth, we will reap the benefit. But if they act wickedly as in most countries, it is to our destruction. As it is written; “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: But when a wicked man rules, the people groan” (Proverbs 29:2; 28:12).
This alternative way however, although sanctioned by God does not invalidate the one and only true way. It is as wicked as during the time the children of Israel said to Samuel, “No, but a king shall reign over us, when the Lord their God was their King” (1Samuel 12:12).
The situation remains the same as in the time of Samuel, and the resolution remains the same. Which is; “Do not fear. You have done all this wickedness; yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart” (1Samuel 12:20).
And like Samuel, those who are striving to walk the straight and narrow way, and uphold Jesus Christ as their King, Healer, Advocate, Protector, Provider: should avoid sinning against the Lord by ceasing to pray for those who have embraced the alternate way: and should continue to teach them the good and right way (1Samuel 12:23).
For we have been admonished saying; “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. We are to honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king (1Peter 2:13-17).
Every soul is to be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God: and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2).
The only exception to this rule is when what is ordered goes contrary to the word of God, because we ought to obey God rather than men and our faith should not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.