Government Authority

I was asked, “What about people who smuggled Bibles into Russia”
as in God’s Smuggler.

Although it is a favorite book, I have to believe that Scripture is true and the “end does not justify the means”.

My answer was that we need to be under authority and authority is established by God.

“Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil. Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor”. Rom.13

In America, we have, I believe the statistic is, four Bibles to every Christian. We rarely meditate on the Word. We are just like the world. We are spiritually bankrupt.

In these countries, where Bibles were smuggled, the Believers were “separated”, they were vibrant, and they knew the Word, even though it was scarce. They were rich.

God knew what the people needed for their own well-being. He used authority to that end.

In discussing this, my brother added this note to an email concerning Bill Gothard and the IBLP program:

A group of ATI (IBLP Homeschool Program) students and leaders traveled to a country to teach in their schools. I think it was communist, but can’t remember exactly. They were “provided” a number of government persons to oversee their actions. They were allowed to teach, as long as they didn’t mention Jesus.

After a few weeks of work, the person responsible for allowing them to be in the country called in the group leader. He praised them for being the FIRST Christian group to follow their instructions regarding not mentioning Jesus. Therefore, he wanted them to continue teaching, bring more people over, and they could teach on anything they wanted to – no restrictions.

Another similar situation - - the ATI group met with government officials prior to beginning ministry in another somewhat antagonistic country. They asked how they could serve the government officials. The officials were amazed, as no other group had ever done this and most were sneaking around and “ministering” in ways the government had forbidden. The officials were so impressed that they provided transportation (including helicopters) for the ATI group and sent senior government leaders along with them. They realized that, because the ATI group wanted to work with the government, any benefits the ATI group provided would also bring credit to the government.

Question on Authority

I received this email: Why are the churches and employers not authorities?

Both church and employment are on a voluntary basis. If they were an authority, we would not be able to leave at any time we chose.

If we are not satisfied with a church, we have nothing forcing us to stay and endure.

Church

There are no New Testament indicators that one has to submit to a pastor or elders. There is, however, Scripture that commands us to submit ourselves one to another, but nowhere specific to a hierarchy in the church.

Two verses that one might point to are Heb. 13:17 “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you”. There is not a specific indicator that this is a church setting rather than a government command.

Even if it might be an edict to the church, the word ‘obey’ has more depth of meaning in the Greek as: to convince (by argument, true or false); by analogy to pacify or conciliate (by other fair means); reflexively or passively to assent (to evidence or authority), to rely (by inward certainty): - agree, assure, believe, have confidence, be content, make friend, obey, persuade, trust, yield.

The only other verse in the New Testament, that commands this type submission is in 1PE 2:13 “Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right”. This again is specific to governmental authority.

Employment

In the Old Testament, when one was employed, it was generally for a day, but could have been longer. It is akin to our “day labor” office. One would stand outside and wait for an employer to come by. He chooses you, you work for the day, and he pays you. Your commitment is for the day and you receive what was promised, for that day’s work. Matt. 20:1

In today’s economy, one has a choice to work or not for any employer. If you don’t want to work, you can quit. If they were your authority, you would have no choice.

Knowing God's Will

How Does One Know God’s Will In A Given Situation?

As I wrote earlier, God’s desire is not to involve ourselves in great matters or in things too difficult for us. (Ps 131)

So too, Paul tells us to pray for our authorities so that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life. (1 Tim. 2:2)

There are two earthly authorities set up by God, our father and the government but not, as most believe, our employer or the church.

Our tranquil and quiet life comes from direction and protection of the government and of our earthly father. Once married, our father is no longer our authority but rather an adviser, we are then in the direct line of God’s authority.

In the Old Testament, there were many ways to know God’s will, some were casting lots, laying out a fleece, Urim and Thummim, Prophets, etc.

Today, we have a different means of knowing God’s will; peace.

An example of this is when the disciples wanted to select a replacement for Judas in Acts 1:24, they drew lots and chose Matthias. They used old techniques to determine God's will but should have waited until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit, as Jesus instructed in Acts 1:8. We see that Matthias was never mentioned again in Scripture however, it appears that God had chosen Paul for the position.

Paul pens, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. (Phil. 4)

When we pray about a matter, God gives us peace (or a lack of peace). God's peace is important. He gives it from His Spirit to comfort our soul (mind, will, emotions). It surpasses our comprehension (the way we understand things). When Paul says it shall guard your heart and mind, in the Greek, this is one’s thoughts or feelings and your perception of things.

To know God’s will, know His peace.

What does one do to know peace?

When you do, it will give you direction, guard your thoughts, feelings and perception of things.

Breaking Up the Fallow Ground

The Hardened Heart

Hosea says, “break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord”. A farmer finds that below the topsoil, the ground gets compacted. This is called the plowpan. It creates a barrier for water, air and plant roots. As a result of not being plowed, heavy rains flood and puddle. Breaking up the plowpan allows the roots to grow deep and the water to insure the soil is kept moist. The plowpan seals off the flow of water. The plowpan causes stress on the roots, not allowing them to stretch, confining them to a smaller space. This stress is harmful to both growth and fruitfulness. The stress on the roots increases the vulnerability to disease.

This happens to the Christian who has a hardened heart. The water of the Word just runs off and doesn’t penetrate. The Word that we do meditate on does not take root. We have little or no growth or fruit. We are then vulnerable to the philosophies (disease) of the world. Matt. 13:5

The only way to break up the plowpan is through deep tillage. Hosea says that it is “incumbent upon US to break up our fallow ground”. This is done through accountability and “deep confession”, getting a clear conscience and then a pure heart (a pure heart in Greek is a continual purging).

Difficult Matters

What does it take for God to get your attention? I find myself getting complacent, relaxed in my walk, not thinking correctly.

God often deals with his people in the area of finances and possessions.

I get financially secure. Bills are paid. Nothing looms over the horizon.

If something happens, I could, with some effort, pay a thousand, maybe two. But, when my car needed repairs this week, it came to nearly $6000.00. I knew I was shouldering a burden when my mood kept fluctuating. I was depressed.

Isn’t that the way God often brings us back to Him. I have to trust in Him again, and not myself. Not my abilities, not what I can produce.

It works for me. I get centered again.

David pens: O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me.
Surely I have composed and quieted my soul; like a weaned child rests against his mother; my soul is like a weaned child within me.
O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever. Psalm 131

Illustration of the Ox

Although he has energy to burn, the young male ox would exhaust himself before completing the task set before him, should he not be yoked with a mature older ox.

Given a plot of land to plow, the young ox would be reckless, carefree and lack direction to plow straight rows. In his enthusiasm, he would expend needed energy before completing the task at hand. However, yoked to an older, experienced male, the young one would learn patience, how to stay the course, and how to work without burning out before the field is plowed.

The D Acres of New Hampshire Organic Farm & Educational Homestead pamphlet on Sustainable Forestry with Oxen, 2004, notes, “Trying to train a two year old ox to follow commands can be difficult. A rowdy ox can be yoked to a well-trained ox in order to train the wild ox about proper yoke etiquette. It must be considered, however, that this can be an unpleasant experience for the well-trained ox. Similarly, older oxen can be used to train a new or younger team by working them in tandem. The mature boys will be helpful for training the young, and the boys will remain useful until the young calves are trained and large enough to be of use for woodlot management”. (edited)

As to this training, John Bowen writes, “One use of the double yoke was to train young oxen. The farmer would link together an experienced ox and a young ox, and, as they pulled the plough together, the older ox would demonstrate how it was done: the discipline, the patience, the obedience, the stick-to-itiveness”.

Picture a young one being yoked to the older. In his youth, he starts by pulling against the master, rebelling, fighting, and ignoring the steady pace of the leader. The older walks with purpose, steadfastness, with his eye on the goal. Months later, the younger submits to the others gait. They plow together, the elder gathering renewed strength from the youth’s enthusiasm, fresh approach and eagerness to work. Together, they get the job done. They pace themselves for the days work.

So too, the young Christian is energetic, bold, powerful and eager to work however, he lacks direction and has the propensity to burn out before a task is completed.
For this reason, he needs to be yoked to a mature believer who can help him to learn obedience, humility, loyalty and how to complete the given task, one who will set the pace.

Who are you yoked to? Are you burned out, before your time?

Are you completing the given task with enthusiasm or are you bored?