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Thursday, January
10, 2008
Law of
the Land
Romans 3:28-31 Therefore we
conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (29)
Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the
Gentiles also: (30) Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the
circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. (31) Do we then
make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law. (KJV)
We have been talking this
week about the difference between the old law or covenant, and the new law
of faith which is established by our belief in the work Jesus Christ
accomplished for mankind to bring reconciliation to a fallen world. There
is still a law in place that even though we are under the new law we still
need to obey the laws of the land. Despite the fact that we live by faith,
we need to stay obedient and diligent to laws here on earth, so that we
don’t end up with total chaos and be distracted by it.
1 Timothy 2:1-2 I exhort
therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks, be made for all men; (2) For kings, and for all that are
in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness
and honesty. (KJV)
We are reminded to keep all
those in a place of authority in our prayers daily so that we can serve our
time here in a quiet and peaceable life. Not only do we pray for them, but
it is up to us to be doers of the word of God also; living honestly and in
a godly manner, being examples of the believers that in nothing the
ministry would be blamed. So remember, just because everyone else is going
over the speed limit doesn’t mean you are excluded from the laws of the
land; and if you get caught it is not pleasing to our Father either.
Romans 13:1-5 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. (KJV)
These powers and ordinances
that are being referred to in the above verses are things like police, fire
departments and other services that help keep order. God has established
these services to render assistance and to try and protect society from
being overtaken by ungodly people; which would get to the point of riot and
total chaos if we didn’t have these departments in place. So remember, if
you break the laws of the land, even if you don’t get caught the first time,
Father is watching; and so to keep your conscience clear you need to obey
them even when the authorities aren’t watching. I know that laws have
changed over the years and that they bend with society and tend to favor
certain individuals more than others, but it is the only way to maintain
some kind of order here and even though it is not a perfect system it is
better than none at all. The fact that they are ordained of God for our
benefit, it is important that we establish these laws and abide by them.
Romans 13:6-8 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. (KJV)
This is what I am going to
call my sound off section, something that I see happening in the so called
church that doesn’t line up with the word of God. The tribute mentioned in
the verses above is referring to taxes. If we are receiving the above
mentioned services, no matter who we are, or who we think we are, we are
all required to pay for them. So how come we have religious organizations
that have these tax free exemptions? If their building gets vandalized or
it starts on fire, who are the ones they call for help? The Bible says the
workman is worthy of his hire and that we are not to withhold wages to them
they are due; so the fact that these are ordinances of God, why are these
religious organizations exempt? If what they are doing is truly the work of
God, is He not capable of supporting it then? Or maybe it is just another
loophole so that these wannabe preachers can pocket more of the loot. Was
not the Lord Himself our example that we are to follow and if so, didn’t he
pay taxes?
Matthew 17:24-27 And when
they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to
Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? (25) He saith, Yes. And
when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest
thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of
their own children, or of strangers? (26) Peter saith unto him, Of
strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free. (27) Notwithstanding,
lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take
up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou
shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.
(KJV)
Here we see the Lord Himself
didn’t argue or fuss about it, but knew who His source was and did what was
required so not to offend. Let me ask this question; is there any group or
organization that is more adamant on getting their fair share and
supporting financially their ministers than the so called church we see
today? It seems more and more the messages I hear coming from these groups
focus more on the financial upkeep rather than the spiritual upkeep of the
congregations. Truly where the treasure is, there will be the heart also. I
see a total double standard; those that receive services that are ordained
of God and require a financial upkeep are ignored by the people of God that
should be living above the standard of man. The so called church and its
preachers demand their fair share and in many cases well beyond that, and then
neglect their duty to distribute what is fair for services rendered in
their own communities, which is hypocritical.
Proverbs 3:27 Withhold not
good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to
do it. (KJV)
Next time a preacher stands
up and teaches on giving, on how important it is that you all do your part,
ask him or her before you give to their organization, if they are doing
their part and paying their taxes according to the word of God. Just
because man says that it’s ok and finds a loophole in the system, doesn’t
mean God says its right; in fact His word is quite clear where He stands.
Jeremiah 22:13 Woe unto him
that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that
useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his
work; (KJV)
Have you ever heard the
phrase or muttered the words ‘where’s a cop when you need one’? Isn’t nice
to have someone to call when there is an emergency that at times is life
threatening? How about our war veterans that lay their lives down so that
we can have the freedom to worship our Lord; are they not worthy of their
hire? How many times have we seen in the news where they don’t get the
medical services and such that is required for them because of a lack of
funds; have they not earned this right?
James 5:4 Behold, the hire of
the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back
by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into
the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. (KJV)
Talk about frauds; you may
have found loopholes in man’s systems, but it won’t get through Father’s
system. And many of those that stand before Him and claim to be preachers
and teachers of the word of God will find out that they sold their souls
for cheap loopholes and didn’t practice what they preach.
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