Tuesday, March 7, 2020
Bible Text: Numbers 9:14 “And if foreigners living among you want to celebrate the Passover to the Lord, they must follow these same decrees and regulations. The same laws apply both to native-born Israelites and to the foreigners living among you.”
Memory Verse: “So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.” Romans 13:2.
The scriptures teach Christians a whole lot of morals and this clearly includes respect and obedience to the authoritative laws of the land. Quite often I see Christians deliberating on what and what not to do when it comes to the laws of their country of residence and this is fast becoming an issue as many don’t know exactly where they stand. It is understandable for there to be a thin line like in the days of Daniel and King Darius but things are far different now due to civilization. But then why are we still picking and choosing? Are we actually allowed to do that as Christians? Did the bible say “some respect for some authority’s law?” Well, let’s see what the scriptures have to say about authority and those laws.
Romans 13:1-2 is a good place to start for anyone confused about obeying the authority and leadership. Apostle Paul writes in Romans to eliminate every doubt in the people’s mind about their faith in Christ and laws given by the authority. Whiles not every decision made by those in authority are approved by God, Yet, we see that God places those leaders there and has given them the power to make decisions some of which will impact us, but we as Christians are called to obey and this obedience is without a biblical caveat or clause.
It can be quiet confusing when Christians are unable to obey the laws of the land yet they say they are totally obeying the leadership in churches or even the word of God. Your ability to obey spreads round across all areas of your life and usually when you see an obedient person, you find consistency in their ways of life, they are compliant on all fronts except to laws contradictory to the commandments of God.
Mary and Joseph who were Jesus’ early parents are good examples of people who clearly were obedient so it’s no surprise why God choose to use them as Jesus’ earthy parent. We see they were both very complaint to the instructions given by the angel from the conception of the savior Jesus Christ, Matthew 1:18-24, up to His birth, Matthew 2:13-15. According to the laws of Moses which was active at the time Jesus was born, Mary & Joseph offered sacrifices as required in the law of the Lord for their first male child, Luke 2:22-24.
There is conflict when authorities passes laws that are directly opposite to the scriptures like we see in the book of Daniel 6:1-28. The intention of the law passed at the time was only to find a way to condemn Daniel and block His relationship from God who made him a distinctive man. The clear reason why Daniel will not obey such laws is because it would clearly interfere with His faith and contradict the commandments and instructions of God.
We see from today’s bible reading according to Numbers 9:14 that when God passes a law for His people, it becomes mandatory for everyone who lives in that land to follow. God has given government authorities, churches, husbands and the rest alike a level of authorization to make laws which is meant to guide His people.
The word of God is calling us to prove our genuineness by the way we live and not just by the saying and association that we are Gods children John 3:8. Our duties as children of God is to constantly pray for those in authority, 1Timothy 2:2 so they can function as leaders that God has appointed them to be, hence making our lives easier with the laws they pass.
I encourage you today to be compliant with the laws of your land. Apply wisdom when it comes to land laws that exalts itself to God’s obedience, but in the absence of any which is not provable by the scriptures, the laws are not optional, they are there for you to be complaint to. No picking and choosing.
PRAYERS:
- Father, I thank You for another wonderful morning
- I receive the wisdom to obey the laws of the land according to God’s commandment
- Every rebellion in me concerning the laws of the land, I renounce today in Jesus name
- Forgive my iniquities Lord and let your mercy prevail over judgement
- Thank you Father and in Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.
I’m reading the YouVersion plan ‘Bible in One Year 2020 With Nicky Gumbel’. Check it out by clicking on the caption below.
