Friday, March 11, 2011

My Response to the President's Response

As I sit here listening to the President answer questions about our nation's response to the natural disasters that have taken place today, my heart goes out to him. I have to admit, about a week ago I might not have been inclined to empathize with his situation. I would have probably been thinking about what was being done wrong or not handled correctly, in my own eyes.

This past week, however, I spent time studying what God's word has to say about authority in our lives. What I was reminded is that all authority has been put in place by God, the ultimate authority over all. He created everything, and His purposes will ultimately be carried out, no matter what. We can trust in His plan and therefore we can trust that the authority placed over us is part of that plan.

When I think of all the times in my life that I have disagreed with an authority figure, it is made clear to me that I have a rebellious heart. We learn from King Saul that a rebellious heart comes at a very high price. He only followed the parts of God's commands that he deemed important. He also did what was right in his own eyes. When we rebel against any authority, whether it be government-related, work-related or home-related, we are ultimately rebelling against GOD. And a rebellious man grieves the heart of God.

Because we are all in fact human, there will be a misuse of authority from time to time. Am I to sit quietly by and watch it happen? Not necessarily. In Esther, we see an example of how we can appeal to authority in a prayerful, humble and submissive way. This type of appeal must be accompanied by a heavy dose of patience and the understanding that our desired outcome may not actually happen. Our motives must also be appropriate. Not for selfish reasons or out of a prideful need to be "right," but rather out a desire to see God glorified in all situations.

In the case of Saul, he rebelled against God's authority and lost his position of king as a result. This goes to show that God is just and in control. He will take care of what needs to be taken care of. We don't have that burden to bear.

If we just want to get right down to it, we should probably look at how Christ handled authority, no? When Jesus was face to face with Pilate, the authority that would ultimately hand him over to die, he was humble, respectful, and submissive. Knowing full well the evil, cruel, unjust and ungodly ways of this man's heart, Jesus "committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:19-24

It's pretty clear. Jesus didn't sit around and bash the authority placed over him. He didn't question it. He didn't have to because He knew that this was part of the bigger picture of God's redemption for all mankind. He had the end in mind, always. He was expecting to suffer. As Christians, we should expect the same. If we believe that God is sovereign, then we must realize there are bigger fish to fry than picking apart those in authority over us.

Prayer seems like a good place to start.

2 comments:

  1. Keelie, we have been talking about this very principle in our home. We are the consumate conservatives, and we love Christ. That said, what is happening inside our HEARTS when we express our concerns and high dissatisfaction with our current administration? I always take the children back to the heart. I think each one of us can tell when there's hatred in our heart toward the person. We're to hate the evil and the sin, but honor and pray for the person, especially one in authority over us. Yes, we are ALL learning about this. Man looks on the outside but God looks in the heart, and He knows our condition.

    Thank you for sharing and for imparting what the Lord is teaching you.

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  2. Keelie, this is a great post! Thank you so much for sharing what God is teaching you. I studied some verses about authority not long ago, too. I need to practice these principles, too!

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