Our Highest Authority

Romans 13:1-2 says "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

As Christians we're to submit to the governing authorities. The only exception is when the governing authorities command something God forbids. This is the clear teaching of both the Old and New Testaments.

For an Old Testament example we look to Exodus 1:15-17 where "The king of Egypt said to the Hebrew midwives, whose names were Shiphrah and Puah, "When you are helping the Hebrew women during childbirth on the delivery stool, if you see that the baby is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live." The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live." And because the midwives feared God more than Pharaoh the Bible records "...God was kind to the midwives..." (Exodus 1:20). God didn't condemn the midwives for disobeying. In this instance, God blessed them for recognizing Him as their Highest Authority.

We see the same thing in the New Testament. The book of Acts makes clear the fact that Scripture must be our highest authority. When Peter was ordered by the rulers of his nation to stop preaching the gospel, he responded: "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God. For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:19-20). As a result God blessed the church and "the word of God spread" (Acts 6:7).

Again, as Christians we're to submit to the governing authorities. The only exception is when the governing authorities command something God forbids. Here's a couple more examples...

• The Bible teaches children to obey the authority of their parents. The only exception is when the parents command something God forbids. 
• The Bible teaches employees to obey the authority of their employer. The only exception is when the employer commands something God forbids. 
• The Bible teaches wives to obey the authority of their husband. The only exception is when the husband commands something God forbids. 

How do I apply this principle practically in my own life? Here's two examples...

• I might not like that since I own less than five acres of land I'm not allowed to have chickens or honey bees on my property (which I personally think would be pretty awesome). But since this town ordinance doesn't require me to break any of the Christian teachings in the Bible, I'm required to submit to it. And I have. As much as I want to, I haven't (and won't) buy any chickens because the Bible says I'm to submit to the governing authorities. 
• I might not like that speed limits are posted that regulate how fast I drive. But since this law doesn't require me to break any of teachings of Scripture, I'm required to submit to it. 

As long as we aren't required to disobey God, we're required biblically to obey the government (and all authorities God has placed over our lives). With that said, if the day comes (and I believe it's on its way) where legislation mandates I disobey a teaching in Scripture, I will have every right to disobey with a clear conscience. As Christians, our highest authority is not the government, but God (and His will as revealed in His Word).

This Will Not End in Death

In John 11 a man named Lazarus is on his death bed in a town called Bethany. Jesus is 20 miles east near the Jordan River when he gets word from Mary and Martha (Lazarus' sisters). Listen to Jesus' response after hearing the devastating news...

"When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4, NIV).

It's easy to read this real quick and skip over it and miss it's significance. This is a truly amazing response! How would YOU respond if you got news that:

• Your best friend was about to die 
• A family member was in a car crash that might prove to be fatal 
• The diagnosis is cancer and it could be terminal

Most people would respond:

• In fear - that the bad thing will happen 
• In anger - that something bad happened in the first place and might get worse 
• In doubt - that anything will change/get better 

But not Jesus! Jesus responds in faith, not fear; in anticipation of God's intervention, not in anger; and in definite trust that God would move, not in doubt. His first response was to speak something faith-filled and positive. I love that! May God grant me the ability to be more like Jesus in this area of my life. Instead of assuming the worst until something good happens, why not assume something good until something bad happens. This would definitely be the wiser approach as research shows the vast majority of things we worry about actually don't happen.

When faced with opportunities or obstacles, may God help us to respond with faith and not fear! May we say with confidence "This will not end bad. No, it is for God's glory so Jesus may be glorified through it." 

Should a Christian date a non-Christian?

Should a Christian date a non-Christian? This is a question I've received a number of times from people in our church and here is how I answer when asked: 

Let's look to the Bible, because God primarily reveals his will through his word. And as we read the Bible, we discover the best possible way to live our lives. As it relates to a Christian dating someone who isn't a Christian...2 Corinthians 6:14-15 says, "Donʼt team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?" To best understand this New Testament verse, we need to look at an Old Testament one. Deuteronomy 22:10 forbade yoking a donkey and an ox as a work team on the farm. 

In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Paul is borrowing the image from Deuteronomy 22:10 to teach the Corinthians that a Christian and a non-Christians are forbidden to be yoked together, in the same way a donkey and an ox are. Why? Because Christian values and pagan values are not compatible. He doesn't teach that Christians are to avoid all contact with the unsaved (1 Corinthians 5:9-10), but are to avoid close partnerships which involve compromise of Christian standards, practices or goals. 

So to answer the question "Should a Christian date someone who isn't a Christian?" I'd have to answer no, based on what God's word says about it. But I want to encourage you to think beyond right and wrong. I want you think in terms of God's best plan for your life vs some secondary plan not nearly as good. The lifestyle God sets forth in the Bible is the best possible way for you to live your life. It's the "abundant" life Jesus died to give you. So my question is, why would you want to settle for anything less than God's best plan?

Peeking Others Interest in New Day

At New Day we're always encouraging people to use their lives to point others to Christ. That being the case I wanted to share some bullet points you might be able to use to peek peoples interest in New Day. As God provides the opportunity, you may want to share one or more of the following points of interest about our church: 

• We don’t fit peoples preconceived notions of church. 
• We are filled with young and young minded people. Everyone in the church isn't 80 years old or older. 
• We have a rocking band, not a robe wearing choir. 
• We have fun at church. Our church is not boring. 
• Casual atmosphere 
• Our slogan is "Casual Dress. Serious Faith." 
• We take God seriously. Not ourselves. 
• We are relaxed, not uptight. 
• Messages applicable to everyday life 
• Our messages are interesting, not boring. 
• They relate to everyday life. 
• Common topics include: marriage, family, finances, friends, stress, etc. 
• People are friendly 
• We have a whole team of people that show up early just to greet you at the door when you arrive. 
• You will leave with a sense that people were glad you came. 
• Great kids program 
• Your kids will have fun. 
• Your kids will learn Bible based values. 
• Your kids will be safe. 
• Great music  
• No choir. 
• No hymns. 
• Up to date music in keeping with the times. 
• No one will ever pressure you to make a decision or do something you don’t want to 
• You can go at your own pace. 
• You'll never be pressured to get saved. 
• You'll never be pressured to give in the offering.