- Does God regard status in dealing with the human?
- What does the Lord your God require of you?
- Is He the God of truth and justice?
It is not unusual to see those in authority, be it institutional, government, churches, impose laws, doctrines, and demands contrary to the original norms’ and fundamental principles. The subjects of these manipulators of truth, most times, are blinded because of loyalty to their fans.
Now, what is the truth?
Jesus criticized the leaders of Judaism while on earth. He told them they manipulated the truth of the principles of God in the book of the law they claim to know. Their lifestyles were contrary to their claim of being Abraham’s children who did the works of God. The truth of the law requires loving God with all their heart, soul, and strength; and their neighbor as themselves according to the law and Prophets, which is the truth; instead, they criticized and prevented Jesus from doing good on the Sabbath. How many times have we, as individuals, institutions, and nations, disregarded the basic principle of the truth in the Word. The Lord’s endurance is on hold when we remain stubborn to change, especially after sending agents of correction to assist with modification, and He gives up, “So I let them follow their stubborn desires, living according to their ideas.” (Psalm 81:12). Also, the devil takes advantage of such moments; he intensifies his manipulation further to blind eyes, block the conscience from the truth, and elevates self-ego to sway individuals from the truth. The prince of this earth uses every opportunity to advance folly and screw up the system, so people will deflect from upholding the truth.
Establishments institute standards of quality in the workplace to improve performance. Members must comply with the institution’s measures, which enhances their retention and survival of the establishment. Likewise, the constitution guides a nation to affect the smooth running of her administration under the president or ruler. The absence of the regulation will most likely result in chaos.
The law of God contains the truth that establishes a nation, and the scripture describes the effect of lawlessness resulting from noncompliance to a divine mandate as in,” My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6a).
The Bible describes how the Lord used the nation of Israel as a replica for the future world, revealing the plans for transforming the world will experience as a result of the promise God made to Abraham.The events we read in the Bible regarding the children of Israel pointed to God’s love and His children’s embracing. Also, the importance of following God’s mandate (instructions and guide) as His beloved children is to live worthy enough to enjoy the blessings of dwelling in God. Unfortunately, Israel squandered their opportunity many times, disappointing God through rebellion to the covenants and laws of the Almighty; as a result, they suffered the consequences. However, at the fullness of time, God extended His blessing to the whole world, on the mandate of accepting His provision for salvation, Jesus Christ.
Now, let’s reflect on the policy, constitution, and laws that guide organizations, groups (churches), and nations; Loyalty to the mandate ensures the establishment’s peace.
How loyal or truthful are individuals to remain to the institutional mandates?
Some people are fully loyal to the policies, laws, and requirements of establishments; a few are fraudulent; some are hypocrites who only do the right thing when they see the boss. Also, a newly employed boss may end up displaying a scheming character, and in turn, manipulate the subjects to loyal to him/her while working against the organization. Inconsistent loyalty does not augur well for the success of any institution. Any controversy will negatively affect the success of the institution. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except God, and God appoints the authorities that exist. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. Because of this, you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.” (Romans, 13:1-7).
Let’s reflect on the Church:
As a young Christian, I was very loyal to the pastors and Christian elders. I saw them as next to Jesus, gave them my respect, obedience, and cooperation. My loyalty to them resulted in leaning toward their preferences because I believed in them. I was a slave, a loyal, or fan to their ideologies, and never entertained the fear of them ever going wrong with the choices they make. I do appreciate and give due respect to our pastors. Jesus, during His earthly ministry, mentioned He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17). His disappointment was against the leaders of the law. He was very critical of their works of the law, and he perceived their heart was contrary to the commandments of God. He tried to influence them to do the works of God; instead, they were antagonistic to the truth. Jesus referred to them as hypocrites, and He warned followers to be careful with them. (Matthew 16 & 23). 1John 4 warns believers to test every Spirit to know if they are of God, for there are many false prophets out there. The Christian who studies the Word will be full of the Holy Spirit, who guides the believer in discerning the truth. The Berean Christians were in the habit of going back home to reconcile what they heard from the Church with the Word of God (Acts 17:11). This group of Christians cannot fall prey to manipulation.
When subjects are ignorant of the institutional (nations, establishments, churches) policies, or guidelines, they become easily swayed around. They can become the victims of manipulation to intruders, who are only concerned about their plan rather than the institution that hired them.
How does one practice the truth?
“ Ye shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32).
The knowledge of the truth will deliver you from being a slave to the prophet, pastors, world leaders; the wisdom in the fact of God will be your guide and emboldening to stand for truth, even when others are in error. The understanding of the truth will keep the pastor from swaying because of gain or reputation. Also, knowing the reality of the Word will guide the new convert from misleads. The CEO, President, subjects, and lawmakers will function effectively in fear of God and truth.
The Berean Christians went back and looked at the scriptures to know if they were right; they lived on the truth through the fact’s learning. The truth is Jesus; He is the Word of God. The foundation of the earth has the basis on the fact and the Word. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:33).
Blessed is the nation/people whose Lord is God. Blessed is the nation (individual, family, child, old man, your name, etc.) whose Lord is God. Build your life on the Rock (Jesus), “ I’m the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6a).
David said I had set the Lord always before me; I shall not be moved. The parable narrative of the storm hitting the house on the sand and rock (Matthew 7-24-27) infers to living a life in Jesus, the Word of God, and is similar to the house built on the Rock. Psalm 19 says,
” The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them, Your servant is warned,
And in keeping them, there is great reward” (8-11).
Below is YouTube link to Proverbs 1-3