Tags
Faith, God IS Faithful, Government, Matthew 4:5-7, Obedience, Presumption, Real Faith, Romans 13:1-8
Bible Ballistics: BBs #639 Living In Faith Or Presumption???
There are a lot of issues floating around in this time of crises and chaos in our world. We are seeing emotions flare, ideas in conflict, and opinions flying around in abundance. I have only a few words to share this morning in this regard. There are those who are claiming to disregard the requests and orders of government officials stating that they are violating their “rights” and are gathering, flaunting their confidence in “God” to deliver them, or protect them from the virus. It is polarizing people of faith—that is the issue that I wish to comment on this morning. Is there a difference between standing in faith in God and acting in presumption toward God? I believe that Scripture gives us clear guidelines in this regard if we will but let them speak and then heed God’s direction. I share The Word; you will have to decide for yourself what you will do with it.
With that said, I would like to add that being the church is our call, more so than ‘going’ to church. (And I believe that church attendance is a priority, but it is not the do-all, be-all of deciding how to be an affective witness of God’s truth before a lost and dying world.)
“Let every soul be subject
unto the higher powers.
For there is no power
but of God:
the powers that be
are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,
resisteth the ordinance of God:
and they that resist
shall receive to themselves damnation.
3 For rulers are not a terror to good works,
but to the evil.
Wilt thou then not be afraid
of the power?
do that which is good,
and thou shalt have praise of the same:
4 For he is the minister of God
to thee
for good.
But if thou do that which is evil,
be afraid;
for he beareth not the sword in vain:
for he is the minister of God,
a revenger to execute wrath
upon him that doeth evil.
5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject,
not only for wrath,
but also for conscience sake.
6 For for this cause
pay ye tribute also:
for they are God’s ministers,
attending continually
upon this very thing.
7 Render therefore
to all their dues:
tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom;
fear to whom fear;
honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing,
but to love one another:
for he that loveth another
hath fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:1-8
Paul makes it so clear that we are to be honorable citizens to the government powers and subject ourselves to them (and remember that when Paul wrote the commands above the Roman government was not friendly toward ‘Christians’!) unless the commands directly violate The Word of God!
Jesus Himself gives us the greatest instruction and example in regard to presumption in all of scripture. I simply ask that you consider what He is saying—and while He was speaking to Satan, He had it recorded for us! I would encourage you to read the entire passage and consider the three things that Satan tempted Jesus to do; meet His own needs outside of God’s will and timing, to tempt God and His Word; and to worship anyone or anything other than GOD! And remember, Satan used “The Word” to tempt, but Jesus used “The Word” ‘in context’ to refute him!
“Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city,
and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,
6 And saith unto him,
If thou be the Son of God,
cast thyself down:
for it is written,
He shall give his angels
charge concerning thee:
and in their hands
they shall bear thee up,
lest at any time
thou dash thy foot
against a stone.
7 Jesus said unto him,
It is written again,
Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” Matthew 4:5-7
And just a note, tempting God with His own Word, is still tempting God. You decide, are you walking and living in faith “IN GOD” (not in your own faith or interpretation of it) or are you being presumptuous toward God, His Will and His Word? I’m praying that we will hear HIM and not our flesh or the flesh of others!
Amen and Amen!!!