Obeying

Good morning brothers and sisters. I wanted to write about this on this particular morning. We, as Christ followers are to obey the law of the land. God has made it very clear. But it is God who sets the government in place. And yes, He sometimes sends bad rulers to rule over the land. Sometimes He sends good rulers to rule over the land. He sometimes removes His hand so that the people get what they want. But as Christ followers we are to obey the laws of the land. Don't believe me then let's look. But please do not stop reading. Romans 13:1-5. 1- Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Just what I said. 2- Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. See there is a price to pay for not obeying the laws of the land. And yes that goes for everyone from the top down. 3- For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4- For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Even bad leaders. Bad leaders come and they show us just how far from God the government is. Bad leaders expose what the hidden agendas are. So see bad leaders sometimes can be good, we don't always see it. 5- Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience sake. We who are children of God must do what is right at all times. Now there is a time when we do not follow the laws of the land. And this is done under the strict guidance of the Holy Spirit. But if you are a child of God, YOU WILL KNOW! Acts 5:27-29. 27- And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28- saying, "Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!" 29- But Peter and the other apostles answered and said, "We ought to obey God rather than men." Now when the leaders goes against the nature of God and does things that contradict God's law, then we must chose the Lord. We have to follow God's law first. But in order to do that, we must know God's word not just a few catch phrases. We must have the word of God written on our hearts. Also note that we are to accept the punishment the land gives whether the punishment is right or wrong, we must accept it. But we must accept it with joy in our hearts. Our Avenger will avenge. His wrath will come on the wickedness. Go on down a few verses. 40- And they agreed with him, and when they had called for the apostles and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41- So they departed from the presence of the council, REJOICING that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for His name. 42- And DAILY in the temple, and in EVERY house they DID NOT CEASE teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Guys, here is the cost. Are you ready? We obey the laws of the land UNTIL the laws of the land contradict God's law. And to know God's law, you must have the Holy Spirit within you. You must study God's law. And we count it joy when we are punished for Jesus Christ. Rise up child of God, rise up! Have a blessed day!