Our Backyard Needs Cleaned.

Romans 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 

2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 

3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 

4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 

5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 

6  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 

7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 

1 Peter 2:13  Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 

14  Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. 

15  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 

16  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. 

17  Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king. 

OK, my theologian friends, I do not recall that Jesus ever directly spoke to the sins of Rome. He insulted Herod, the puppet king, set up by Rome but He did not speak directly against the government. Educate me if I am wrong.

He and Paul spoke harshly against the established religious leaders blasting both Left and Right, but not the overseeing government of Israel, which was Rome.

Both Peter and Paul spoke of submitting to every ordinance of man. They rebelled against the Sanhedrin when they were told not preach Jesus and yet Paul apologized when he unknowing insulted the high priest when he had Paul unlawfully smitten. He respected the position when he did not respect the man.

Even when there was persecution, none of the Apostles wrote of anything, but how-to endure it and while not suggesting people walk up to volunteer for the lions they did not indicate any support of action against the government. You change the hearts of the people and you change the government.

Rome was excessively wicked and oppressive, yet the Church flourished because the power of God was upon the Christians. Preaching the Word of God in power and not just collegiate erudition won people to Christ. The testimony of those persecuted, imprisoned and killed even won people in Caesar's household.

It would appear to be quite evident that we have strayed from the path of the early church putting our trust in political machinations instead of the power of God. Should we exercise our rights to vote and provide an apologetic of our faith whenever can in a peaceful manner? Absolutely! Should we embrace a rancorous and vitriolic posture? No.

Had we not explained away the power of God in our myriad of seminaries, we might have had more influence and impact on the culture. Indeed, if we walked in the Spirit rather than the flesh, we would have had less division and more of the unity we were called to with people using His gifts for the Kingdom and not their own agendas.

If we had been pouring our time and resources into the ones Jesus came to seek and save rather than building expensive buildings that will be firewood at the last day they may have seen the love of Jesus in us rather than Rolex, private jet and mansion preachers always looking for money.

If indeed, judgment starts at the house of God as the Word teaches we should have been cleaning up our own backyard calling out heresies and those who preach them. We might have prevented some of what might be coming since Paul said if we judged ourselves we would not be judged. We have spent too much energy pointing our fingers of judgment at the World while being too easy on ourselves teaching gain is godliness and politics will liberate us. Where the Spirit of the Lord there is liberty and truth sets us free.

If we enter into a lion's den it may well be that we bought the lions and fed them for many years. I have known too many rude and crude preachers who could not preach the truth in love as well as those who sacrificed truth in the name of love. I was one of those rude preachers for many years thinking I was being bold for the Lord when I was just being a hypocritical jerk.