3:265 – God’s Law or Man’s Law?

#faithbites #faithjourney law

Setting

My heart hurts as an American Christian. I know what the bible says and I know that our laws don’t match. I also know that we have no national religion and have many brothers and sisters from all walks of life. Heck, even if we were a national Christian religion, what flavor would it be? There are so many disagreements amongst Christians on what to believe.

Today, I got into a discussion about how could a Christian every vote for a Democrat if they are pro-choice. The issue could be said how could someone vote for an adulterer or any other sin. It’s a slippy slope and one I don’t want to dive into here.

We know that following Christ is not easy. He told us himself. God also told us to obey Man’s law and God’s law. It’s hard to balance both. I wrestle everyday on this. I don’t know what the future will hold. For me and my family, I explain God’s law and what we believe, what Man’s law is, and that no matter what Man’s law says is ok, we love everyone. Hard stuff. How do you balance?

Scripture

• Acts 5:29 – But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
• Romans 13:1-5 –  Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. ² So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. ³ For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. ⁴ The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. ⁵ So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
• 1 John 3:4 – Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

Reflection

This is not an easy topic. The apostles say to follow God’s law and not man’s law. In Romans, we learn to pay our taxes and follow the governing authorities because their authority comes from God. If we rebel against those authorities we rebel against god. So if they are saying a law is good, then is it good? We are are sinning, we are breaking the law. Which is it?

I don’t know. I wish I had an answer. Sin is ever present in this world. There is definitely a conflict between being a Christian and living in a democratic republic. Even more since that republic is made up of believers and non-believers alike. How do you have laws that apply to all if they don’t believe God’s word. If God has sent the leaders to lead, then aren’t those laws his laws?

The rabbit hole gets deep on this one. All I can say, is I try to love God and love people. It’s not easy. I try to get to the bottom of why someone believes what they believe and love them. We may never see eye to eye and that’s ok, but I can love them as a child of God.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us as a people called to spread God’s word, be his witnesses, and do what we can while following the law. At the end of the day, we need to show love and understanding for all of God’s children as we are all sinners, broken, and need the forgiveness of Jesus.

Challenge

Is there a law or political position you are opposed to? Are you rebelling to rebel or it is a rebellion because it’s not God’s law? Either way, how do you balance submitting to ruling authorities and following God’s law? I would love to know.

Prayer

Father God, we ask for clarity tonight. Help us to find the balance between man’s law and your law. We know your law is supreme. Teach us how to be a Christian in America. How do we submit to our ruling authorities who are given power by you but aren’t living according to your law? How can we be participating citizens and not lose our faith? At the end of the day Lord, we pray that our hearts not grow cold or callused. We ask that you give us the spirit of love and understanding. Help us to always show grace, love, and forgiveness when we disagree. In your name, Amen.