Speeding along

Romans 13:1-7 calls us to be subject to our governing authorities. If we break the law of the land, we will incur the wrath of God on ourselves through the government. It may be a $120 traffic violation fine for speeding, for example, but in any event, we must see these judgments as being from God himself against us as wrongdoers (Romans 13:4). Too often, we, even as Christians, break the law when we are convinced we will not be caught…if we see that the officer has pulled over another motorist, we speed up knowing that the long arm of the law is occupied. But fear of punishment is not a good enough reason to motivate us to observe the appointed ordinances. Romans 8:5 goes on to say: “Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.” The highest motivation for keeping the laws of our land ought to be that we have consciences groomed by the word of God that cause us to want to keep the law, to go the speed limit, etc. Laws like traffic laws are there for a reason, not for our discomfort. For instance, if we go faster than the posted 70 mph on the interstate and a tire blows out, bad things happen (that could plague our consciences for years to come) – even if we haven’t thought through the consequences ahead of time. We should subject ourselves out of a sense of obligation to God first and foremost – because we want to do the right thing before him and for the sake of our countrymen’s good. This truth is a lesson everyone needs to heed but especially young people who are growing up and learning to make independent decisions as citizens.

These commands are requirements for us as Christians, and, to apply Jared Olivetti’s February 21st post, it is distinctly Trinitarian. The Father has called us into a personal relationship with him, and he has appointed his Son, Jesus Christ, to be King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus is the one who avenges wrong in his justice and exercises his wrath and judgment, even on believers in a limited way, through the issuance of speeding tickets and the like. And the Father and Son have sent the Spirit into our hearts so that our consciences might be tender and that we might long to please both the Father and the Son by obeying before the threat of punishment even becomes an issue. So, before you grumble about laws that may seem to inconvenience you, think about the high calling you have as believers to please the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by his grace. (Special thanks goes to Wendell McBurney for some insights on this passage in our small group study.)

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Back to the issue of Islam for a moment to answer a couple of issues raised in comments. I do not claim to be an expert on Islam, but I believe there is “honest” discussion within Islamic circles with regard to what the Quran requires when Muslim are not in the majority or in control. Also, there is discussion with regard to whether or not the “infidels” need to be destroyed if they are willing to do servitude to their Muslim masters. Nevertheless, there is no true freedom where they rule. It is also a more dangerous worldview than other non-Christian worldviews because it is so much more cohesive, and exercises more power because of its absolutes. We should in no way desire persecution – because while God does use it for good, it is never to be desired according to Scripture. Also, persecution most often does not cause the church to grow, but rather to be scattered and then growth comes. However, that growth is often weak in doctrine (as in China today) because the leaders and teachers are the first to go in persecution. Finally, if there has been explosive growth in the church under the Muslim regimes of the Middle East over the last millennium, then I and just about everyone else have missed it. Obviously, the only lasting solution is to preach the gospel, but in this clash of civilizations, our state leaders have the obligation to be a terror to what is evil (Romans 13), and Islam and its ways are certainly evil.