Tag Archives: wrong

Obey- Right Or Wrong

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OBEY – RIGHT OR WRONG

“But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to inflict punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants who give their full time to governing.

“Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, then pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour.” Romans 13:4b-7.

Apart from it benefitting the whole of society when we obey the governing authorities, there is another even more important reason why believers should submit to the government, good or bad – because of who we are.

We have Jesus as our example. God wants us to respond to people and situations as His sons and daughters, not because of what people do to us. Just as we used to be reactive, now we are to be responsive. That means, as Jesus responded in every situation and to every kind of person as the Son of God, representing and being a mirror image of the Father, gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love and faithfulness, and submissive and obedient to His Father, so must we.

“In this world we are just like Jesus.” 1 John 4:17b.

According to Paul, our response is a matter of conscience. When we act like Jesus rather than rebelling and resisting because we don’t like or agree with the law or the treatment we are receiving, no matter how we are misused or treated unjustly, we will have a good conscience before God. Better to be unfairly condemned by others than to have our conscience condemn us because we have acted against God.

There is a second consideration – the matter of our tormentors. Will they misuse us and get away with it? What if God allows people to treat us badly because it is part of His discipline to refine our faith in Him? Peter speaks at length about the trials he and his readers were suffering at the hands of their persecutors, both Jewish and Roman. Why did God allow it to happen to them?

Habakkuk struggled with the same problem. He could not understand why his people were wicked and yet, God sat on His hands. God’s response was shocking, to say the least.

“Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am doing something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told. I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own. They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves.” Habakkuk 1:5-7.

Habakkuk was appalled. “How can you do that to your people?” he protested. Again, God’s response was sobering but, in the end, satisfying. “Every person will carry responsibility for his own behaviour.”

“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” Habakkuk 2:4.

What is God saying? You may be mistreated by godless people, but submit anyway; hang in there and continue to trust God. They will not get away with it. God is giving them an opportunity to do the right thing. If they do not, they will face His judgment for what they have done to you.

“God is just; He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with His powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8.

We can safely obey God, not matter what, and trust the outcome to Him.

Acknowledgement

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Produce The Evidence

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PRODUCE THE EVIDENCE 

“Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. ‘I have spoken openly to the world,’ Jesus replied. ‘I always taught in the synagogues or the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.’

“When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped Him in the face. ‘Is this the way you answer the high priest?’ he demanded.

“‘If I said something wrong,’ Jesus replied, ‘testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?’ Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.” John 18:19-24 NIV.

Annas and Jesus faced off in a pre-trial confrontation. Annas probed to find out Jesus’ hidden agenda; Jesus probed to find out whether the religious hierarchy had any intention of giving Him a fair trial. Annas tried to get Jesus to incriminate Himself. Jesus worked on Annas’ conscience to see whether he would allow the many witnesses to testify to the truth of His teaching. Annas was in league with the Jewish religious hierarchy to get rid of Jesus. Jesus wanted Annas to honour the truth.

As a rabbi, Jesus was familiar with the Torah. He understood how a fair trial was to be conducted. Would He be given His right to a fair trial as the accused, under the Jewish judicial system?

“One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” Deuteronomy 19:15 NIV.

False testimony was banned. “The convicted false witness would suffer the punishment inflicted on the accused.” In criminal cases, both witnesses must have witnessed the whole event; “any person able to testify who has seen or learned of the matter who does not come forward to testify is liable for punishment.” (Levicus5:1) (1).

Why did the official slap Jesus in the face? Did Jesus say anything impolite or offensive to Annas?

“Since Jesus is still bound, there is no way for Him to defend Himself…This blow is more an insult than it was physically damaging. It highlights Jesus’ dignity and boldness as well as His respect for the truth, rather than for mere office holders. His reply to the servant stresses this issue of truth: “If I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?” …In essence, Jesus’ question is a final act of grace extended toward a representative of His opponents. But Annas does not accept the offer to consider the truth of Jesus. Instead he sends Jesus, still bound, to Caiaphas.” (2)

1. http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0021_0_21003.html

2.http://wwwbiblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/John/Jesus-Confronted-Peter-Annas

Throughout His public ministry Jesus was more concerned about the truth than He was about offending people, sometimes causing His disciples anxiety when He offended the religious leaders. Truth will be the criterion for the final judgment of the nations when the books are opened.

In spite of the grace Jesus extended to him. Annas was too preoccupied with the threat that Jesus posed to his position and that of his fellow religious leaders to realise what a precarious situation he had placed himself in. He chose to sell out truth for power and the lucrative benefits of his connection to Rome to consider his own future

What would we have done in a similar situation?