Isaiah 45:6-7 NLT
[6] “…. I am the Lord, and there is no other. [7] I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.”
I believe that one of the worst deceptions that came from Adam’s rebellion against God is the notion that, not only do we not need God, but that we can be God for ourselves and others, and that we can make the rules for ourselves and for others.
God’s mandate for the first man was to rule over the earth, including all the creatures on the earth. Conservation was God’s priority and to man He entrusted this role. Conservation and agriculture would guarantee the wise use of all the resources God provided to foster human progress and prosperity.
Rebellion against God’s authority and mandate set the earth on a course to destruction. We who live in the 21st century can look back over human history to see just how far we have come. We have done an excellent job of destroying what God has given to us to survive.
However, we have done even worse than our exploitation of the earth in direct disobedience to God’s command. Our intent is to destroy one another by this persistent idea that we can play God in other people’s lives.
Nowhere did God give us the mandate to rule over one another. Quite the opposite! The New Covenant’s instruction is to preserve unity by mutual submission and humble service.
Ephesians 4:3-4 NLT
[3] “Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. [4] For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.”
Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT
[1] “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. [2] Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”
Ephesians 5:21 NLT
[21] “And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
Philippians 2:1-4 NLT
[1] “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? [2] Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. [3] Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. [4] Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
What a different picture from what we see happening in the world around us! The level of honour, dignity, and respect we give one another in the body of Christ is the guage of our understanding of what life in God’s kingdom is meant to be.
Some local fellowships are dominated by leaders who believe that they are have absolute control of their congregations. The leader calls the shots and all his underlings must fall in line or else…!
Other congregations have a plurality of leaders who do the same thing.
God’s mandate to leaders is…
1 Peter 5:1-4 NLT
[1] “And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches…. As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: [2] Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. [3] Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. [4] And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.”
Since every person is a leader at some level in their lives, the same principles that apply to appointed leaders must apply to us all.
Romans 14:1, 4, 7-9 NLT
[1] “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong….
[4] Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval…
[7] For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. [8] If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. [9] Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.”
Romans 14:12-13 NLT
[12] “Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. [13] So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.“
God’s mandate to humanity is to live in harmony with one another, recognising and honouring the boundaries we set for ourselves and one another. In this way, we acknowledge and function in the freedom that every person is given to choose their own way, be it good or bad.
Jesus demonstrated the honour He gave to human freedom by His treatment of all people. He spoke the truth but did not enforce it on anyone.
John 12:48 NIV
[48] “There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day.”
Note the way He reacted to the rich young ruler.
Mark 10:17-23 NLT
[17] “As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [18] “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. [19] But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” [20] “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” [21] Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [22] At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. [23] Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”
Not a word of judgment or condemnation, not a plea to the young enquirer. The man had made his choice and Jesus let him go.
Every sin we commit against another person when we inflict our own will on them, is a violation of God’s image in us. He gave us the gift of self-determination, even if our choices destroy us because, together with self-determination goes accountability. They are two sides of the coin.
Blame shifting will never cut it with God. Honesty and accountability go a long way towards the kind of life He has prepared for us in His kingdom. Imagine a world where people allow each other to be themselves without pressure or interference! So it will be in God’s forever family.
So, why do people insist on playing God in others’ lives when God holds every person accountable for his own life?
I believe that some people want to control others because of their own insecurity. In the context of the family of God, our security lies, not in who we are in ourselves or our achievements, but in who we are in Christ, holy and beloved.
Until our identity is firmly fixed in Jesus and our beliefs and behaviour flow from our true identity, we will always be insecure. We will manage our insecurity by manipulating, dominating, and intimidating others to gain control, the very tactics the devil uses to manage people.
I must constantly make the choice. Does Jesus in me allow me to let others be who they are or… Do I further the work of Satan by insisting on inflicting my will on others? Do I think that I can snuff out another’s life, either literally or by destroying their freedom to live who they are?
Knowing when to get involved and when to let go is a powerful work of God’s grace.
Galatians 6:1-2, 4-5 NLT
[1] “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. [2] Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ….
[4] Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. [5] For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”