Pray For Our Real Leaders

 The Scripture reminds us to be in subjection to those in authority overs us, because the authority they wield is received from God Himself. We are warned that to resist authority is to oppose the ordinance and order of God, and condemnation will be the result of our rebellion. 

Part of that subjection I think, is to pray for those in leadership positions. This is something that I personally do and have done, even when I don't agree with their policies. Men and women in leadership roles are entrusted with huge responsibility from God regardless if they realize that fact or not, so I pray for them.  They need Godly wisdom to govern according to the immutable principles God has established, and by which He governs the world and universe.  Important as that is, I think there is an even more important group of leaders and governors that we as believers in Christ should pray for given the state of the USA at this point in our history.  They would be the denominational leaders of those movements that still hold to the one true Gospel.

They serve the risen Christ as under His authority, yet over us in authority. They need to hear from God as to how to lead, what to emphasize, how to respond in the present turmoil and in the years ahead. They are leaders in the most significant body of people in the world, the church of Jesus Christ. We are the people He has redeemed, and empowered to be an influence for good and for justice and the kingdom of God in the present. We are those commissioned to make the Gospel of Jesus Christ known to all people everywhere. History can not hide the tremendous influence Christ Jesus and His church have had on this world.  The Gospel has catapulted the civilizing of humanity like no other teaching or philosophical system. 

  Currently politicians are fighting to retain power, some to gain power. Some perhaps from good motives others perhaps with wicked motives.  Either way, it seems like not one of them is even considering the risen Christ who has all authority in His right hand. Our denominational leaders are at the helm of the greatest force for good that ever existed, and they need our prayers in these days for it is within the Christian church that real power lies. We have the word of God, truth codified and made knowable. We have the Holy Spirit of God Himself, within us and among as as we gather to worship and pray. We have the privilege {and duty} of prayer, that mysterious action that moves God to act according to His eternal and perfect purpose. I'm wondering and asking God for wisdom as to how to minister in these days. We have to think about what ministry will look like in the coming months and years. 

We can no longer be content with our religiously correct trends, books, pop music, "how to" sermons and all the rest of a brand of Christianity that seems more designed to sell than to save. Yes, we must pray for our leaders of whatever denomination we are part of. For in so doing, we participate in a great struggle after which Christ Jesus will make all things right, and bring many people to glory, in His Presence forever.  But today, we need wisdom and the power of the Holy Spirit to discern the path God would have us take. May He give our denominational leaders, His servants, the grace to lead. May it be the result of the faithful prayers of a faithful church.

Against Such There Is No Law

 In the book of Acts we read of the persecution of the new church led by Saul of Tarsus. He was a devout Jewish scholar who viewed the new "sect" of those who followed Jesus Christ as Lord as a threat to the Jewish nation. He was very adamant that they were a heretical group with an absurd claim that Jesus, who was crucified in shame, was actually their long awaited Messiah whose death was for the forgiveness of sin. Not only that, but they also claimed with great confidence that He was risen from the dead and is now in heaven at the right hand of God, because He was and is God. 

So Saul began a great persecution that became so intense that believers in Jesus had to flee Jerusalem and were scattered all over the region. Saul had legal authority to follow them, root them out and imprison them to the fullest extent of the law. No Christian, man or woman was safe from his hatred and legal authority. It was a very intense time. One person who fled in the midst of this was Philip, who went to Samaria, a nearby city. Maybe he went there because the Jewish people and the Samaritans had a long standing animosity toward each other and Philip thought he would be safe from Saul's hatred there. In any case as he preached the Gospel amazing things began to happen in that town. 

People were coming in huge crowds to hear the Gospel, in one accord. There were miracles happening, healings took place, paralyzed people were able to move and walk, those with demonic spirits were set free from them and people were turning to faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. The text reads that because of the Gospel and the work of God, "There was much rejoicing in that city." This is amazing in itself, but all the more so when we remember that these things were taking place in the midst of persecution and legal action against the church of Jesus Christ. The hatred of Saul, and the vehicle for his hatred, the legal authorities, had no effect on the work of God. None whatever.

This is a serious reminder for our time. We live in days in the USA when persecution seems to be at the door. Strong anti- christian forces have gained footholds in our government, courts, school systems and certainly the media and entertainment businesses. We as believers in Christ have a right to be concerned. But we also have the knowledge that no legal action no matter how severe, can or will ever stop the work of God through the Gospel of Christ. Civilizations rise and fall, yet God remains. The Gospel has endured opposition and hatred from the first days of it's proclamation. Every generation and culture has had it's Saul of Tarsus to spearhead hatred and the attempt to stop it. They always fail.

Today, remember that the gates of hell itself will not stop the church of Jesus Christ. He will be victorious in His eternal purpose as it plays out in history. No legal action, hatred from atheist or religious zealots or persecution can stop the work of Christ. As we devote ourselves to Christ and the proclamation of His word, He will still work and save and lead even in the face of legal action and animosity. There can be, "much rejoicing," for the kingdom of God will always prevail. Against such things, there is no law.