Proceed with caution!
Renew your mind. Do not conform to the patterns of this world by unruly acting out like the ungodly. Instead, spend your time praying. God will take care of injustices - justice belongs to Him. He has the ultimate authority!
It’s put this way in scripture: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Let’s go for what is good, acceptable, and perfect in the way we conduct ourselves! Jesus did. There is no greater role model. As a man on earth, he had every reason to voice his concerns and protest the law. However, Jesus spent his time seeking God and living by example. He told and showed people what was right and moved on. He was righteous, not riotous. Ends up, by submitting - to the governing authorities and to God, all those wrongs were made right - and then some!
“Why submit to governing authorities when I feel they are wrong in their leadership?” Well, because God commands us to, very specifically, in Romans 13:1-7 with consequences if we do not.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ...”
Being subject to authorities, it says, is for two reasons: 1. To avoid God’s wrath (sounds like a good plan to me!) 2. For the sake of conscience (also very freeing!)
Clearly, as Christians, we are called to be set apart in word and deed - not to be involved in things the same way the world is. We should keep our minds fixed on Christ and doing His will. Colossians 3:2 tells us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
We should pray for those who persecute us. If you feel you’ve been wronged, trust God to change things by coming to Him in prayer and petition. We can trust that He sees and knows all things and that He WILL take care of it, in his perfect timing.
He makes clear in Micah 6:8 what our role is - “No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (NLT)
By spending time bucking the system, a person is squandering that time which could/should be spent walking humbly with God in prayer. Let’s turn our passion into prayers!
Prayer is effective. God has only given us so much time on earth. We must spend it wisely!
Prayer is an investment that will draw great dividends.
Be righteous, not riotous! It can only benefit you and those around you.
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