6.23.2006 | Don't mess with the Big Guy

Those nations that the Lord has shown His favor to will survive all attacks. Those that do not do His will, will not. It is as simple as that. Some would have us believe that all secular authority is ordained by God, as per Romans 13:

1Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.

Well, my first take on this is that it's strictly propoganda, redacted to curry favor with the Roman Empire.

The textual meaning of Romans 13 is plain. Christians must always apologize for it in order to show that God did not really put in place monstrous regimes (like the Soviet Union, Communist China, and Nazi Germany). God certainly allowed those regimes to exist and do heinous things; that's quite different. It is, in fact, wholly consistent with the total depravity of men. Or, if you prefer, we must acknowledge that this world is the province of Satan.

The Christian owes no allegiance to evil or corrupt regimes. And we must know that, ultimately, God is on our side -- if we but walk in His ways. An example of what ultimately happens to regimes that fight against God's people? 2 Kings 19:

32"Therefore thus says the LORD concerning the king of Assyria: He shall not come into this city or shoot an arrow there, or come before it with a shield or cast up a siege mound against it. 33By the way that he came, by the same he shall return, and he shall not come into this city, declares the LORD. 34For I will defend this city to save it, for my own sake and for the sake of my servant David." 35And that night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians.

And God didn't even read them their rights before smiting them. Guess there's no Miranda warning in heaven.

| technorati tag | Christianity|