“Peter and John replied, ‘Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” – Acts 4:19-20
Who makes the rules in your life?
Most of us live under the rules of several different authorities. For me, I live under the authority of God, the Synod / District, my congregation, the United States government, the Florida government, the Pasco County government, and my wife ;).
Take a minute to think of all the authorities in your life.
This is all well and good. Good authorities help us to live in peace, help us to live our life of faith, and provide the framework for us to work, etc. However, there are times when problems arise because one or more of the authorities in our lives contradicts the other authorities. When this happens, we need to prioritize.
The Hierarchy
In the United States, federal laws supersede state laws which supersede county laws, etc.
What about God?
What about the church?
What about my wife?
Where do all these authorities fit in?
Judge for yourself, Peter may tell you. Is it right to obey what is right in God’s sight even if it contradicts what is right in someone else’s sight?
Absolutely!
God is sovereign. His Laws and His Ways supersede everything and everyone. The church, the government, and even my wife must obey God’s ways or I must disobey them in favor of obeying God.
What Hierarchy?
Of course, just because that is how it is supposed to work doesn’t always mean the other authorities fall in line. We see, repeated, in Scripture the followers of Jesus being harassed, beaten, arrested, and even killed for obeying God and going against the authorities. We see this today as well, sometimes in regards to governments, sometimes in companies, sometimes in social circles.
We may suffer for the Gospel, but as the Disciples rejoiced in suffering for the Gospel, so can we. Even in that suffering, Jesus is proclaimed and glorified.
The Other Authority
We recognize government and employers as authorities, but not all authorities are obvious. Sometimes society, friends, media, or social media try to assert themselves as authorities. They tell us what to do, what to say, or how to act and threaten us if we dare to go against them. Here too, we are called to stand against these would-be authorities and follow Jesus.
It’s not always easy and we may suffer, but it’s good and right.
So, where is God when we suffer?
He’s right there with us. He’s suffering with us. Surely Jesus knows what suffering is, but it’s not just that. Consider what Jesus tells Paul on the road to Damascus.
“He (Saul/Paul) fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ He replied.” – Acts 9:4-5
Paul had been persecuting Christians. As far as we know, Paul had never met Jesus. Yet, Jesus tells Paul that he (Paul) is persecuting Him (Jesus)! This makes sense since the church is the body of Christ. When you are persecuted for Jesus, Jesus is persecuted. He never leaves you or forsakes you. He suffers alongside you. He gives you strength and comfort.
So, stand strong. Obey the authorities where it is right, but stand against them in obedience to Jesus where they contradict even if it means you suffer.
Heavenly Father,
Teach me Your ways. Give me good authorities in my life who promote peace and help me to follow You. Where those authorities go against You, help me to remain obedient to You, even in the face of suffering. May Jesus be proclaimed and glorified through my life.
Amen.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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