Psalm 11:2 – WHAT TO DO WHEN THE FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIETY CRUMBLE – Part 3
Psalm 11:2 (NLT) says, “The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”
2020 Belarus: A rigged election has awarded Alexander Lukashenko a sixth term as president. Lukashenko is an autocratic ruler since Belarus gained independence. It is an authority which has no teeth, and huge numbers of protesters now defy him. They say that Lukashenko has lied to the people and he is paying the price. A nation engaging with truth is asserting itself by demonstrating in the streets and this is being met with brutal violence. Flower-waving women, all wearing the red and white colours of the opposition movement flooded the streets after the violent response. Those released from custody speak of torture and abuse of power by the police.
Freedom without authority is anarchy but authority without freedom is tyranny. Successful governments maintain freedom in the context of authority. It is heartbreaking when we see corrupt governments infringing the rights and freedoms of a people for the sake of power. It is just as heartbreaking to see violence erupting on the streets.
Every country has a Government. A successful government provides its citizens with freedom in the context of responsible authority, not tryranny.
GOVERNMENT
The Bible speaks of God’s interest in many nations, not a single one-world government ruled by a tyrant. This is made clear when God judges the Tower of Babel, the first “United Nations” building, where the descendants of Noah were divided by language in order to get them to spread out over the earth (Genesis 11:1–9). God values diversity and freedom in the context of authority.
FREEDOM IN THE CONTEXT OF AUTHORITY.
Romans 13 outlines the responsibility of a government to uphold society with a set of laws which are just and right, not corrupted by power, and yet the book of Romans was written in a world ruled by powerful and corrupt emporers who saw themselves as gods.
What can a Christ follower do when the foundations of society are crumbling? The simple answer is do what is right whatever government is in power. One of the foundational elements of divine establishment is government. So the rule of thumb for a Christ follower is,
Be subject to civil authorities, good or bad, in the context of doing what is right. They are to be obeyed but when the laws of civil government conflict with the clear teaching of the Bible, then for a Christ follower, Acts 5:29 (NLT) “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”
In Australia we have Prime minister and a Government. They do not have divine rights to rule over their citizens. The Bible indicates that they have been delegated by God to do the right thing. A Christ follower is to say yes to all matters that do not conflict with the clear teaching of the Bible.
Government leaders are not delegated by God to stop people from doing the right thing, but to restrain evil.
Romans 13:1-7 (NLT) in the Bible says, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.
So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong.
Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you.
The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do.
Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.”
From the Bible’s vantage point, Australia’s government has some very strong and good laws and like every country some very weak and poor laws. As Australians, we elect a government, and we get the government that we deserve. Some governments are going to be oppressive, intrusive and overbearing. Others will encourage freedom within the context of authority.
Government authorities represent and maintain the functions of taxation, law enforcement, justice, the military, and enforcement of law and order without the destruction of human freedom.
Government is not to be corrupted by those with the loudest voice or popularist opinions. Good government protects the choices, privacy and property of its citizens.
The foundations of society crumbles when authorities are ignored. The existence and perpetuation of freedom demands respect for authority.
Although the Ten Commandments were given specifically to the nation Israel, they provide an outline for the preservation of freedom for any country. The first 4 commandments provide a basic spiritual code for believers and the final 6 commandments provide a freedom code for Christ followers and society in general.
What are these commandments? (see Part 3)
Pastor Ross
Words of Life 