When The Laws of God and Man Clash

“These are divisive times like we have not

 seen in generations. How shall we live in

 such polarization?”

President Abraham Lincoln once said, referring to America in the face of civil war, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” And Aesop, a great thinker and story teller of history, wrote something similar, “United we stand, divided we fall.”

(Ian Hutchinson on Unsplash)

America is facing tremendous division, and the future of our land of liberty is at stake.

What is dividing our nation? It is a division rooted in fundamental differences of values on very important moral and spiritual issues. They are hotly debated topics like abortion, gay marriage, transgenderism, illegal immigration, climate change, election interference, Covid vaccines and DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion).

These issues have been formed into governmental laws and policies that either further promote or restrict them. And whether someone be known or unknown, if they oppose an agreed upon narrative for these divisive issues, then they could be subject to a form of persecution. They may have their social media accounts shut down. Other online companies may end their relationships with them. Their banks may no longer do business with them. They may be fired from their job. They may be subject to state or federal investigations. They may be sued. They could be arrested. They could be jailed.

These are divisive times like we have not seen in generations. How shall we live in such polarization? Does God have anything to say?

The New Testament was written to followers of Christ under attack because of their beliefs and practices, which stood in opposition to various Jewish, Roman and Greek laws and traditions. The times we live in are unique to us, but not to the annals of world history.

Read what Peter, one of Jesus’ leading Apostles, wrote to Christians who were living under a godless form of government that was persecuting them, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him…For this is the will of God.” (1 Peter 2:13-15) Then Peter went on saying, “But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.” (vs. 20)

Peter is saying straightforward that followers of Christ are to live as model citizens by complying with the law, but at the same time he recognizes that occasionally the two conflict. Sometimes doing what the Bible says (either directly or in principle) may violate the law. Then what?

Doing what God’s Word says is the definition of “doing good.” That can mean sharing the plan of salvation with others, providing material help to those in need, offering godly counsel to the struggling or standing for biblical truth and justice. Through Peter, the Lord God tells us to always press forward and do good no matter the situation we face.

Here are three points to keep in mind. 1) We should do good by faith at all times, while entrusting the outcome of our actions to the Sovereign King. 2) We should not let the sin of anger, bitterness or evil speaking be found on our lips toward those who oppose us. 3) We should be willing to fully accept all consequences that may come our way.

The outcome of this, is that we will follow Jesus’ example as He suffered unjustly on His way to the cross, doing good for the whole world.

In the divisive times we live be prayerful, walk wisely and always remember, in the eyes of God, it is eternally lawful and just to do what is good and loving.

A prayer for you - Lord God, I pray against this evil that is dividing our nation. May the eyes of people be open to see the way before them that is true and just. And I pray for the church, that it would be bold, wise and loving, never fearing to do what is right and good. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Driven to Want What Others Have

“Throughout human history, our lust for more and more has never been satisfied.”

“Picture it in your mind.” That is what I was taught when I attended a conference soon after graduating from high school. It was to help teach me about goal setting and achieving success like I had read about in books. I wanted to be a famous, accomplished and wealthy businessman. Going down to the new car lot I thought would help. There I found the car of my dreams and visualized myself in the driver seat. Furthermore, on a piece of paper I wrote down how, “I want to succeed so I can have money to buy my dream car.” (Photo by Roberto Nickson on Unsplash)

I was a foolish 19-year-old, and did not realize it. I was driven by the accolades and financial achievements of others. I wanted what they had. Do you know what that is called? Coveting. It is probably not a word you have used in the last week, but it may be something you have been guilty of too.

The Lord God speaks plainly about this in the Ten Commandments, “You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.” (Exodus 20:17) Coveting is greed. It is where you want more than what you have, or want what someone else has, for selfish gain. Jesus once said, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15) And what is coveting driven by? Lust, which is an evil desire that seeks to satisfy its passions, regardless of the cost.

Why is coveting condemned by God? Because of its perilous consequences. A married man covets another woman, which leads to an adulterous affair and a divorce. A woman covets more clothes and shoes, a nicer car and bigger home leading to severe debt problems. A man covets more achievements, a larger income and a bigger business leading to a wife and children that he rarely sees.

And many crimes are rooted in covetousness. Embezzlement, fraud, theft, robbery, extortion. In the end, divorce, fractured families, bankruptcy, job loss, imprisonment and even murder have all been the fruit of a covetous life.

Throughout human history, our lust for more and more has never been satisfied, but instead has led to self-destruction; for an individual, a family and sometimes even for a nation.

What is the answer to a covetous life?

The Bible says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who [covet] fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” (1 Timothy 6:6-9)

Here are four principles to an unselfish and generous life. 1) Godly contentment. Trust in God, where He alone is enough to satisfy all your desires. 2) Godly gratefulness. Be thankful to God for all you have, whether little or much. 3) Godly character. Put honesty, hard work, giving to others and personal integrity as a higher priority than the collection of things. 4) Godly perspective. Realize that all you get in this life, stays in this life and cannot go to the next. Also understand that God wants you to excel, but to do it for His glory, the good of others and not for selfish gain.

And how can you live like this? Only through Jesus. His sacrificial death and resurrection provided a way for you to be forgiven. And when you turn to Him, He will fill you with Himself and all you need to live a godly life that is filled with His joy, thankfulness and peace.

A prayer for you – Lord God, search each of our hearts if we are living a covetous life. Are we coveting another’s spouse? Are we coveting someone else’s successes? Are we coveting material things? If so, Lord, we call upon you to transform us. Change our hearts. Bring us to be content with all you have given us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Day God Died

“As the world lay dark and Jesus’ followers were reeling in disillusionment, a seismic moment in history shook the world to its core. Jesus rose from the dead!”

“Is God Dead?” was the iconic headline of the April 8, 1966 issue of Time Magazine. To this day it remains one of the most recognizable magazine covers of all time. The Easter season story gripped the nation during an era of cultural change, and at a time when 97% of the public expressed belief in God. (Image from Istock)

What was the article trying to communicate? According to the Time religion editor, John Elson, he wrote in his story, “Princeton Theologian Paul Ramsey observes that ‘ours is the first attempt in recorded history to build a culture upon the premise that God is dead.’” Elson described the idea of God as dead in different terms based on upon various thinkers, from God’s irrelevance to God’s non-existence.

What were some of these academics basing their bold claims on? The evil happening in the world at the time and the emptiness of the church in response to it.

The ideas presented by Time Magazine, had some similarities to first century Christians at the literal death of Christianity’s founder – Jesus of Nazareth.

For three years His followers had believed in Him for the future of themselves, and their nation. Peter, the leader of Jesus’ Apostles once said to Him, “See, we have left everything and followed you…” (Matthew 19:27) But then the unthinkable happened. He was arrested on false charges in the dead of night. It is written, “Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.” (Matt. 26:51) And throughout the night, Israel’s corrupt leaders convicted Jesus on false charges which required death by crucifixion. It was a cruel and torturous form of death, that left Jesus nearly unrecognizable. The prophet Isaiah predicted how awful it would be, “…his appearance was so marred, beyond human semblance…” (Isaiah 52:14)

In just a matter of hours, it seemed as though the three years of Jesus’ teachings and His movement was dead and irrelevant. Even though Jesus accurately predicted all this would happen in order to prepare His followers, they were left discouraged and fearful.

While the disciples were in isolation and mystified by all these events, there was something unfolding, which they did not understand.

Isaiah declared how the Jewish Messiah, who would also become the Savior and Deliver for all the world, would need to “be high and lifted up” (Is. 52:13) on a cross. Why? Because this was the only way He could save people from their sins. For Jesus did not come to save people from political oppression or the injustices of an evil world. This is something neither His followers nor enemies, fully understood. He came to save people from the very thing that makes the world evil. Sin. And there was only one way for that to be done. Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, had to die. Why? Because then His perfect blood would provide the necessary payment and penalty for sin. He would voluntarily do for the world, what no one could ever do for themselves. 

But one thing had to happen to secure it all. Jesus must not only die, but He must defeat death. How? By conquering it.

As the world lay dark and His followers were reeling in disillusionment, a seismic moment in history shook the world to its core.

Jesus rose from the dead!

As His followers went to weep at His grave, angels appeared to them saying, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5-6)

The death and resurrection of Jesus reveals to the world that God is alive and more relevant than ever. This story declares that our feelings, opinions and circumstances do not have the final say. No! It is the empty cross and empty tomb that declare what truth is. Jesus is alive! 

A prayer for you – Lord God, we believe you are the truth, not the things happening all around us. We confess our selfishness and prideful ways. Help us to turn to you in repentance and faith that we might be made new by the resurrection power of Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.