March 26th 2017
God Controls Who Is Given Authority, And Note, They Are Not Always Good People.
Leviticus 19:32 (NIV)
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.
This verse was written a long time ago, and today it seems most people have not been taught to respect anyone! Many are being taught to hate anyone who is not in the hood (neighborhood). We have seemingly lost the desire to show “respect for the elderly” or even to “revere your God.” Many people do not even believe there is a God or gods. This is not something new, but it seems to me that this trend of disbelief is growing, and it can be traced to start out by losing the belief in mankind being a special creation. If you accept the idea that mankind is just the most evolved animal, then why would you extend any special respect for members of mankind over any other animals?
Some people show more respect for their family dog or cat than they do for their neighbor. Many people would desire to have their pet go to heaven than for their human neighbor. This is of course, a minor problem, when compared to someone who is taught to hate other members of mankind, especially if they look different than you! The Bible teaches that all of mankind is related to each other, and that we are of one blood. This is scientifically proven by the fact that blood of the same type can be transfused from a person who looks different than you, and it will or can save your life. Many people have been convinced that some races of people are less evolved than other races. And again, based on the Bible there is no such thing as races, only people groups!
The writer of Hebrews wrote about this idea of loving your brother and sister, as all members of mankind are actually brothers and sisters. He then points out that loving must be extended to people outside of your hood (neighborhood), even extended to perfect strangers. Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2). He farther indicates that showing love to everyone, could allow you to show love to angels too. Show hospitality to strangers, “for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Now that is interesting, isn’t it?
Paul tried to do everything “for Christ’s sake” and he was greatly blessed. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10). Here it sounds like Paul is asking for Jesus to punish him to become weaker and thereby becoming stronger! Actually, Paul desires to gain his strength through Jesus instead of depending on his own strength. Just before this verse, Paul wrote about a problem he had. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
So how about you, do you really depend on getting your power to do good from Jesus that is, are you really working on becoming more Christ-like every day? Jesus told Paul that unless Paul and you accept your weakness to love others, because the grace you have been extended by Jesus will only be useful, if you admit you are weak and thus need Jesus to supply power to you! Jesus said to Paul and us, “for my power is made perfect in weakness." If you want to become perfect, then you must rely on Jesus to guide your life and direct your love. You can never become perfect without using the power supplied by Jesus, if you admit you need His help, because you are too weak to love everyone by your own power.
Now back to this thing about having respect for other people, and especially for people who are in authority. Paul wrote about respecting authority by believing that God controls who is given authority, and note, they are not always good people. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. (Romans 13:1-5)
Many people today show no respect for those in authority! Some people are being taught to disrespect everyone who has a positon of authority. Some are even being taught to attempt to kill anyone and everyone who holds a position of authority. In the USA, today we see huge crowds forming to protest about everything that they believe threatens their choice to do whatever they want to do! Many people joining these various protests are professing Christians, and they are not there to offer the Good News, but instead to add to the unrest in our nation. Does mob violence emanate from people who fear God? It appears such people actually show no fear of anything.
As you may see from my writing I do not understand the growing hatred that exists in this once great country. Yes, there has always been hatred shown by group against group, but now it seems to be more personal. We are okay with aborting 55,000,000 unborn children of God and just calling it a “choice!” Thousands of people are dying of drug overdoses every day. Terrorists are plotting how they can kill as many people as possible, before they are finally killed by someone trying to protect the masses. I have no answer for this, but Jesus offered us an answer, let’s just close this VOW with that!
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Leviticus 19:32 (NIV)
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.
This verse was written a long time ago, and today it seems most people have not been taught to respect anyone! Many are being taught to hate anyone who is not in the hood (neighborhood). We have seemingly lost the desire to show “respect for the elderly” or even to “revere your God.” Many people do not even believe there is a God or gods. This is not something new, but it seems to me that this trend of disbelief is growing, and it can be traced to start out by losing the belief in mankind being a special creation. If you accept the idea that mankind is just the most evolved animal, then why would you extend any special respect for members of mankind over any other animals?
Some people show more respect for their family dog or cat than they do for their neighbor. Many people would desire to have their pet go to heaven than for their human neighbor. This is of course, a minor problem, when compared to someone who is taught to hate other members of mankind, especially if they look different than you! The Bible teaches that all of mankind is related to each other, and that we are of one blood. This is scientifically proven by the fact that blood of the same type can be transfused from a person who looks different than you, and it will or can save your life. Many people have been convinced that some races of people are less evolved than other races. And again, based on the Bible there is no such thing as races, only people groups!
The writer of Hebrews wrote about this idea of loving your brother and sister, as all members of mankind are actually brothers and sisters. He then points out that loving must be extended to people outside of your hood (neighborhood), even extended to perfect strangers. Keep on loving each other as brothers. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2). He farther indicates that showing love to everyone, could allow you to show love to angels too. Show hospitality to strangers, “for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Now that is interesting, isn’t it?
Paul tried to do everything “for Christ’s sake” and he was greatly blessed. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10). Here it sounds like Paul is asking for Jesus to punish him to become weaker and thereby becoming stronger! Actually, Paul desires to gain his strength through Jesus instead of depending on his own strength. Just before this verse, Paul wrote about a problem he had. To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)
So how about you, do you really depend on getting your power to do good from Jesus that is, are you really working on becoming more Christ-like every day? Jesus told Paul that unless Paul and you accept your weakness to love others, because the grace you have been extended by Jesus will only be useful, if you admit you are weak and thus need Jesus to supply power to you! Jesus said to Paul and us, “for my power is made perfect in weakness." If you want to become perfect, then you must rely on Jesus to guide your life and direct your love. You can never become perfect without using the power supplied by Jesus, if you admit you need His help, because you are too weak to love everyone by your own power.
Now back to this thing about having respect for other people, and especially for people who are in authority. Paul wrote about respecting authority by believing that God controls who is given authority, and note, they are not always good people. Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. (Romans 13:1-5)
Many people today show no respect for those in authority! Some people are being taught to disrespect everyone who has a positon of authority. Some are even being taught to attempt to kill anyone and everyone who holds a position of authority. In the USA, today we see huge crowds forming to protest about everything that they believe threatens their choice to do whatever they want to do! Many people joining these various protests are professing Christians, and they are not there to offer the Good News, but instead to add to the unrest in our nation. Does mob violence emanate from people who fear God? It appears such people actually show no fear of anything.
As you may see from my writing I do not understand the growing hatred that exists in this once great country. Yes, there has always been hatred shown by group against group, but now it seems to be more personal. We are okay with aborting 55,000,000 unborn children of God and just calling it a “choice!” Thousands of people are dying of drug overdoses every day. Terrorists are plotting how they can kill as many people as possible, before they are finally killed by someone trying to protect the masses. I have no answer for this, but Jesus offered us an answer, let’s just close this VOW with that!
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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