March 07, 2013

God Speaks for Himself

In yet another recent letter-to-the editor the writer complained that our nation appears to be plagued by so-called theocrats – people who recognize God, or some deity, as ruler over civil government. His argument seemed to be based on people who presume to ‘know’ the mind of some existent or non-existent deity. “Most [of us] are not so careful about those who claim to be ‘speaking for god’, ‘in the name of god’ or ‘god says’.”  I have to admit that the writer’s comments have some merit, however, they are misdirected and targeting the wrong audience. His intended audience was the liberal-minded living among us, but it is actually we believers who need to be cautious about those who claim to be speaking for God, in the name of God and quoting God. My thoughts turned to the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, but yet they asked Jesus a resurrection question about marriages in heaven. Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God?” (Mark 12:24 NIV) We too will be in error if we don’t know the Scriptures or the power of God.

1 comment:

Steve Corey said...

Gail;
-----I wonder if the author of this letter might object to gravity's rule over government? There is also that untidy little rule of time. Once a moment has ticked past, it can never be relived no matter how hard a government might demand otherwise. There are a myriad other things subjecting governments. So why should they not be to God as well? One of America's founding fathers implied the answer by saying our constitution will serve only an upright and godly people. It's a clue.
-----I presume there are some people in this country who do think we need a government with the Bible as some sort of controlling gravity. We know there are those who believe government should be constituted by the Koran. And then there are these types who believe it should be constituted around the rejection of any thought cast towards God. Did this guy say anything about freedom of conscience and its expression, even by those in government?
-----God will have His reign over government. That is rationally undeniable, irrationally deniable, and coming soon. In the meantime, He effects governments through the spiritual attention (or inattention) of the their people just like gravity does. Why then is there not blessedness oozing from governments around the world? Because today is not the time for blessedness. It is the time for learning that man currently has neither the righteousness nor the love for governance. No matter how good they try to be, man's government will always wind up being presumptive and oppressive. Looking back through history, I think we can say the demonstration is now rather complete. Lord come quickly!

Love you all;
Steve