10 April 2022
Two-Minute Features | 17 April 2022 | 03 April 2022

The Authorities Act on Behalf of God (TMF:1830)

Friday, April 15, 2022
Peace to Live By: The Authorities Act on Behalf of God (TMF:1830) - Daniel Litton
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       “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.” Notice that the law enforcement officer is an “avenger” of God who actually carries out “God’s wrath.” In this sense then, we as believers could fall under God’s wrath if we are disobedient to the government. Furthermore, Paul tells us to obey the law for the sake of our consciences. It would be no fun to go around all the time knowing we are being disobedient to the law in some area, and have that hanging over our heads, always wondering when we were going to get caught. That would be no fun, and Paul informs us not to go there, not to do that. The only time we should willingly disobey the government is if they are asking us to do something against God, or against his principles.

The Authorities Help Us, Part 2 (TMF:1829)

Thursday, April 14, 2022
Peace to Live By: The Authorities Help Us, Part 2 (TMF:1829) - Daniel Litton
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       At times in watching an episode, I would think, “You know, they have a right to do things like that. They have a right to let criminals die.” And I thought that in light of this passage here. These agents (though they were fiction; they represent real agents), these agents had the right to do that since they ultimately were executing God’s judgement on individuals. This passage today tells us that God executes his judgement through the authorities. Understand that; that’s important. It means that at the moment an agent, an M:I agent, an F.B.I. agent, a C.I.A. agent, when they let bad guys die, or shoot them, whatever, they are actually executing God’s judgment. God is working through them. Now, I’m not saying that every time an official takes a life that it is from God, for we know that there have been lives taken incorrectly, without following the pre-established laws, and with wrong motive. That’s called murder.

The Authorities Help Us, Part 1 (TMF:1828)

Wednesday, April 13, 2022
Peace to Live By: The Authorities Help Us, Part 1 (TMF:1828) - Daniel Litton
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       The police are out and about to help us, not to hurt us. That doesn’t mean that every one of them is perfect. No profession, no matter what profession that is, has perfection across the board. This is a sinful, fallen world. But the police are out and about to help us. Several years ago, probably seven or eight years ago now, one of the local channels here in Columbus used to air the old Mission: Impossible episodes overnight from the late 60s and early 70s. Some of you can recall the show. It starred Peter Graves, who, by the way, was an outspoken brother in Christ and is now home with the Lord. I remember that sometimes in the show the agents could be particularly brutal toward the criminals, leaving them to die in a building in which a bomb was about to go off—whatever. At times in watching an episode, I would think, “You know, they have a right to do things like that. They have a right to let criminals die.” And I thought that in light of this passage here.

Societal Conduct Among Christians (TMF:1827)

Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Peace to Live By: Societal Conduct Among Christians (TMF:1827) - Daniel Litton
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       "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” (Romans 13:4, 5, ESV). In looking at the personal conduct of Christians, Paul is moving I think more to how people are living in society individually and relating to the government than the government itself. But there are also key things we can pick up about the ruling authorities from what he says. We are to be obedient to our rulers, and this includes anyone who has authority under them. So, while we may be thinking of those at the top of our Federal Government, in our case here in the United States, it would also include those under them, people we are more close to anyway. It includes the State ruler, and even our local rulers. It includes obedience to police officers, for they ultimately report to those up the chain, and they do what they do for our good. Have you ever thought about that?

Who Actually Established the United States? (TMF:1826)

Monday, April 11, 2022
Peace to Live By: Who Actually Established the United States? (TMF:1826) - Daniel Litton
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       At the end of the day then, it is God, not Thomas Jefferson, not George Washington, not Benjamin Franklin, who established the United States. He did it; he is responsible. He could have easily caused the Continentals to lose the war. On the contrary, great honor, respect, and a whole host of other good things has been brought about by the United States. Jefferson’s democracy has been a truly impressive form of ruling, so much so that I personally have established a Church Constitution in my private studies based on his work (but that’s getting off topic). Really, it’s amazing how democracy has worked so well. The real issue seems to be the two party system, at least in my mind. But I’m not the only one who believes that. George Washington himself warned us about this. Nevertheless, verse 3 states: “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.”