Romans 13:1-2 (NIV)
1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities,
for there is no authority except that which God has established. The
authorities that exist have been established by God.
2 Consequently, whoever
rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and
those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
"Hey, Frank! Did you hear the latest news? All civil
and government agencies have been shut down. Our government has decided that
from now on people have the right to be completely free from any laws that our
country has passed. We won't be voting for political parties any longer, as
there won't be any, and we won't have to pay taxes!"
"Wow, Henry! I wonder how this will turn out!"
"I don't know, but lawyers, teachers and police men
are facing some rough times. They have all lost their jobs!"
"That doesn't sound good at all! I better go
straight home-just as soon as I find a gas station!"
Five minutes later Frank pulls into the nearest gas
station. His jaw drops open in shock as his eyes scan the sign advertising the
price. "What . . . ? Gas has jumped from $3.00 a gallon to $200.00? What a
rip off!"
"Calm down mister," calls out the attendant.
"I have to make a living, you know, so I have decided that from now on I
will have a fixed gas price! Nobody's going to dictate to me how much I can
charge for my gas! If you don't like my prices, there are other gas
stations!" He chuckles wildly. "Just be aware that they seem to be
after a much bigger profit than I am!"
"Bigger profit than $200.00 a gallon?" Frank
sputters. "Unbelievable!"
As Frank arrives home, he is shocked to see a total
stranger dragging his eight-year old son out of the house. His son is screaming
at the top of his lungs, and Frank immediately tries to intervene: "Hey!
What are you doing with my child?"
"Your child? This ain't YOUR child!" Roars the
stranger.
"Just ask my son and he will tell you!" Frank
cries. "And this is my house, too!"
"Kids lie! I decided about 15 minutes ago that this
would be my child, so now he's mine! He just ain't learned it yet!"
"But . . ."
"All my life I've dreamed of having a child. Now I
have one, and you can't do anything to stop me!"
"I can't? But . . ."
"By the way, I'd say you would better spend your
time getting ready for the drug crowd than trying to take MY child."
"Drug crowd??? What are you talking about?"
The stranger laughs wickedly. "If this is really
'YOUR' home, then there are about 100 teenagers in there claiming that it is
'THEIR' home. And the whole lot of them is pretty high, if you know what I
mean."
"But . . . But . . . I have to call the
police!"
"Go ahead! There is no more police, remember? We are
free to do as we want from now on!" Then the sordid stranger turns his
attention to someone else: "Hey, Bob! Wait for me! I need to take my new
kid home!"
As Frank turns around, another total stranger drives off
with his car and his cell phone, which he stupidly left charging on the front
seat. Not knowing what to do, he begins to run down the street, heading for the
nearest pay phone. Fingers shaking over the number pad, he dials the first
number that comes to his mind.
"Frank? Frank, is that you?"
Oh no! He's dialed his boss's number! Well, it's too late
now, and hey, maybe his boss can help him! "Yes, it's me! Hey! I need help
and I don't know what to do! I just lost my house, my car, my cell phone, even
my son! I don't even know where my wife is!"
"Oh, hi Frank. I'm so glad that you called. I needed
to tell you about your new salary, effective today. I need to make a living
too, you know, so I have decided that your annual income from now on will be
$50.00."
"Fifty dollars a yea . . . But . . . But . . . You
can't do that!"
"Watch me!"
The next few weeks are a living nightmare. Frank finds
out that all his savings are gone. It seems the bank manager has decided to
close down all of his banks and live on the deposits of his former customers.
When Frank finally finds his wife, she has been abducted and abused. Everywhere
he looks there is chaos. All laws have been abolished; there are no leaders in
the country, and no law enforcement officers. It seems that all of these things
have become "old fashioned", and the result is utter mayhem. Is there
any hope for the future?
Would you like to live in a country like Frank's, where
people are completely free to do as they wish?
Is it really worthwhile to criticize authorities, when in
all reality, we wouldn't be able to do any better?
"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and
authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one,
to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all
men." (Titus 3:1-2 NIV)
This message is not meant to approve tyrannical
governments who rule with an iron fist. They will have to face God's judgment
seat one day. Still, respecting authorities, no matter how bad they are, can be
a true witness to those who don't know God. Remember, when Paul wrote the above
letter to Titus, he was in prison in Rome, under Roman authority. Paul realized
that even a Roman prison was better than a lawless society!
Dear Lord, thank You for the leaders that lead us even if
we don’t always agree with them. Help us to pray daily for them that they will
look to you for the wisdom and guidance that they need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
