Monday 10 December 2007

What are Christians to do in a world rule by despots?

What are Christians to do in a world rule by despots? I ask this question in direct response to the actions of The Archbishop of York; watch the video or read the article more...

Despots are nothing new in the world of man. There have been and always will be despots ruling in one part of the world or another, until Jesus Christ returns to rule. This being a true fact; what is the man or woman of God to do?

A couple of thousand years ago, a man of God walked in a land ruled by a despot, and his response to this situation should be a lesson to all of us who call ourselves Christians. The man of cause is Jesus Christ and the despot is Harold.

Jesus did not cut his garments in protest but rather, preached the love of God in a hostile environment. Jesus Christ was aware of facts which sometimes we Christians seem to be unaware of as reflected by our actions:

  • The approval of God is of greater importance than the approval of man
  • Sometime to be approved of God our actions must fly in the face of what man approve.
  • No man receives anything accept that which God has approved – this include the authority to rule.
  • All authority belongs to Christ
  • Give Caesar what belongs to Caesar

For Mugabe or any other despot to rule, God has given that authority. The man or woman of God must never forget that God is in control and that a fervent prayer behind a closed door has greater impact than a gesture on public television.

  • John 6:27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."
  • Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
  • Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.
  • Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.
  • Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
  • Ephesians 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.
  • Luke 20:25 "Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
  • 2 Corinthians 6:1-10 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.) Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

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