Obeying The Law - Romans 2:13

For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. - Romans 2:13

21st Century America (the entire world for that matter) seems to have a problem with lawful obedience. It’s not that we don’t want to obey the law; we just want to be able to pick and choose which laws we will obey. The problem with that attitude is that as long as there are two people on the planet one of the two will object to obeying some facet of the law. “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” - Judges 21:25.
Clearly, we can see the problem this attitude presents in a society that is built on law. And all societies are structured around some kind of regulatory foundation. Laws differ from one nation to another but there are still laws that must be obeyed if civility, security, and expediency are to be maintained at a level which allows the group to function effectively, properly, and achieve success. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”- Joshua 1:8.
The issue of who gets to determine what laws we will or will not follow has been left up to the Legislative Branch of our Government and ultimately to the Supreme Court to determine the lawfulness of the statutes. Once the law is settled, it becomes “the law of the land.” Of course, some laws are of such a spurious or controversial nature that even after they have been settled, there is still cause for review by the SCOTUS. Since such laws seem to be in flux, we often fall back to the words of Judges 21:25. There are controversy and confrontation over these questionable laws. There is often violence and judicial action taken to quell the disagreements. If we just had a set of laws we could routinely turn to for the answers to our greatest disagreements.
 “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” - Joshua 1: 7-8.
Yes, we do have “the law.” It is the Law that God himself gave us when He called Moses to the mountain top. There He gave Moses the Ten Commandments. Laws that we can not only live by but thrive by as well. Provided, of course, that we all obey the Law!
Many today reject the very idea of following the Ten Commandments, citing that they are outdated and antiquated. I certainly pray that they are not talking about murder. No, most people will agree that “thou shalt not murder” is a law well worth preserving and obeying, at least when it comes to viable living human beings. Infants “in vivo” don’t seem to enjoy the same protections, but that is another issue that I have covered on many previous occasions. No, what we are currently discussing are God’s own laws as given to us by his prophet, Moses. And their validity today.
As I stated previously, many people prefer to pick and choose which laws they will abide by and those they won’t. But God takes a sterner view of our capriciousness. “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” - James 2:10. That is a hard criterion to have to live by but it is God’s criteria and we are not free to object. The Apostle, Paul, puts it into even greater perspective - “For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, ‘Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.’” - Galatians 3:10.
Clearly, God has given us a set of Laws that even non-believers are responsible for following. We stray at our own risk.
But what about grace? Are we still under the Law or are we not, by the grace of God? We will turn back to James for the answer to that inquiry - “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” - James 2:14-17. Genuine saving faith will manifest itself in our daily actions and behavior. With genuine saving faith, we will obey the Law.

Why All This Suffering And Death? - Luke 13:2-3

   
And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?  No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:2-3

    If any of us have lived long enough we have undoubtedly lost loved ones, be they family or friends. Sometimes those losses have come by way of tragic circumstances, natural disasters, or disease. Inevitably we will hear two incessant questions to the loss of that loved one. The first that comes to mind is - “What did he or she do that caused this tragic death?” The second is almost always, “Why? Why did this loved one have to die?”
    Obviously, unless the deceased led a risky lifestyle we may simply never know the cause of death other than the curse of Genesis 3. “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” - Genesis 3:19. This was a general curse to mankind. Because as Romans 6:23 tells us - “For the wages of sin is death.” But God not only cursed Adam and Eve at that moment; He also cursed the earth - “And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life.’” - Genesis 3:17.
    There are two misconceptions which many of us seem to fall under. One is the idea that a particularly tragic end came because of some particular sin we may have committed. The other is that we may feel (because of some wrongful thinking) that our faith wasn’t strong enough to prevent the tragedy from taking place. Both ideas are fallacious in their very being.
    Christ is telling us in our title verse that there was no particular sin responsible for the circumstances surrounding the tragedies that befall us. He is also implying that it was not a weakness of faith per se. The problem, according to Jesus, is that we fail to repent of our sins. This is Christ’s primary message to the world. It was the very first statement made by Him in the Gospel of Mark - “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” - Mark 1:14-15.
    But the answer to “why” still eludes us. To be perfectly honest all I can say is that we may never know the answer this side of heaven. Our heavenly Father doesn’t always reveal His reasons to us and the best we may hope for comes to us from the Letter to the Romans - “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28. It is of paramount importance to understand the terms “for those who love God” and “for those who are called according to his purpose.” The indicators clearly show that we must first love God and be called according to His purpose. These two criteria find life in us through the promise of eternal salvation and life everlasting. Were this hope not evident; were this hope not true, we would have nothing more than the unbelievers have. This is the foundation of our hope. Without it, suffering and death have no meaning and we truly are lost. “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” - 1 Corinthians 15:19. Without this promise, our faith makes no sense!
    More important though is that before death naturally or tragically overcomes us, we need to be prepared for a good death. A good death defined is a death where we have our repose in Christ Jesus. While we spend great energies and expenses upon the hope of recovery, healing, and recuperation, many of us and our loved ones fail to spend even a moment preparing ourselves for the inevitable end of life. And since we know neither the time nor place, shouldn’t we be sure we are ready to meet Christ when He comes to draw us to Himself? Certainly, healing is a blessing and if it is God’s will, we will be healed. But being prepared for our eternity in heaven is an even greater blessing, bought and paid for by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Let us all be prepared.
    We may never understand why people die when they do or whether they somehow brought their deaths upon themselves. God is under no obligation to explain Himself to us . . . ever! He is sovereign and does as He pleases. He is God! Our responsibility is to seek Him where and when He may be found. “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” - Isaiah 55:6-7.
    We will always have suffering and death but we can always be prepared for the time and the place if our faith is ultimately in Christ Jesus.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made - Psalm 139: 13-14

 
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. - Psalm 139:13-14

    There is an old adage which people continue to quote as though it had the lasting viability of a true proverb - “Never discuss religion or politics in polite company.” So if I’m getting this gaff correctly, am I to understand that we should avoid speaking about the two issues in this life that affect us more than any other?
    The odd quote should be taken tongue in cheek, of course, otherwise we would never get anything of importance accomplished in this life. Of course, we are to speak of our faith. We have been commanded to by Christ Himself - “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20.
    Speaking about politics is as old as the first human tribes. It certainly has its precedent in the history of mankind. So yes, it too should be on the discussion table. As to when these two seemingly verboten subjects are to be included in conversation, I would suggest they be spoken about at your weekly “Faith & Politics meeting.” If that isn’t on your schedule I suggest they be spoke of whenever the subjects come up.
    Maybe the reason for the ban on talking about either subject comes not from social propriety but from the fact that the positions some people hold simply cannot be supported in a rational discussion. Perhaps the top one today is the subject of abortion, a topic that holds both religious and political gravitas. The significance of abortion arises from the concept of killing an unborn human being; “killing” being the key word. “You shall not murder.” - Exodus 20:13.
    As I write this, I can confidently say that there isn’t a single argument for taking a child’s life that can be defended. Not one! The defense of the unborn child can be bolstered legally, theologically, biologically and from any other position that can be brought into play. In fact, there isn’t a single logically sound argument for the unfettered killing of an unborn child that can be made. Every position the pro-abortion crowd turns to in defense of their bloodlust can be dismantled like a house of cards in a reasonable and controlled debate. And therein lies the source of their foolish proverb. In fact, what the person who coined the phrase should have said is, “If we can’t defend our opinions in a reasonable and logical manner, we should avoid discussing them.” That, at least, would have been more honest!
    The truth regarding abortion is clear: it is a selfish and arrogant act, fueled by a sinful heart. It is murder, plain and simple; a conspiracy to murder between a mother and her doctor! “Cursed be anyone who takes a bribe to shed innocent blood.”- Deuteronomy 27:25.
    We must always see a child as a gift from God, regardless of the source of the pregnancy. This will garner the greatest howls of defiance. How dare I? Not I, brothers and sisters, but God. “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” - Psalm 127:3. Not just children wanted or planned for or children hoped for but all children . . . period!
    No, I can easily see the convoluted logic of those who believe that religion and politics should never be discussed. They prefer to keep their beliefs and activities in the dark. I don’t agree with that notion, but I understand why they hold that position. And so does Christ - “For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” - John 3:20.