AV 11
Laws of the Land
“Be subject to every
institution of man because of the Master, whether to the sovereign as supreme,
or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of doers of
evil, and a praise for those who do good.” (1Pet
2:13-14)
I have heard it stated – don’t remember where – that without rules,
regulations, and laws, there would be nothing but chaos, and I am inclined to
agree with that statement. For example, IF
there were no laws pertaining to traffic, vehicles, and the privilege of
driving, imagine, if you would, the chaos and confusion our highways would be
in. With no speed limits, no right of
ways, no stop signs, and without any type of highway maintenance, vehicular
fatalities would be numerous. With that
being said, it is easy for us to understand that with the establishment of
laws, there is order and structure instead of chaos and confusion.
Does that give us the right to ‘break’ the law, if we don’t agree with
it? Most certainly not; our opening verse
instructs us to “be subject to every
institution of man”. Just as Torah is
not a smorgasbord for us to take what we like, and leave what displeases us,
neither do we have that option concerning the laws of our country, be it the
United States, or any other nation in our world. Those of us who claim to be children of the
Living Elohim are to be above reproach, and examples to others on how to
conduct our lives in compliance with the laws of our land.
When we abide by the laws of our land (nation, state, county, city), we
live at peace, for there is no chaos or confusion. We have guidelines and rules as to what we
can and cannot do; using again our example of road traffic, there are speed
limits in place for our own safety. When
we choose to habitually break the speed limit, we will eventually be caught,
and suffer the consequences. The
Scriptures refers to the person who breaks the law as an “evil-doer” (see our
opening verses, as well as Rom 13:3), and we are instructed to submit to the
laws of man just as we do Torah (Rom 13:2).
When we make the choice and decision to abide by the laws of our
nation, we bring honor to the One who created us. By living our lives in obedience to the laws
of mankind, we further reveal that we are willingly in compliance and
submission to our Elohim, and secure in our relationship with Him.
Obedience is the ultimate key when it comes to our halacha, our daily walk and lifestyle, and it is the basis upon
which we will be judged.
Please understand that I do not negate obedience to Torah in any
way. When there is a choice that must be
made between Torah and the laws of our land, Torah will always supersede the
other. However, we must be very, very
careful as to how we choose to interpret Torah; we can in no way force it to
endorse an act of outright rebellion.
“First of all, then, I urge that petitions,
prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for all men, for sovereigns
and all those who are in authority, in order that we lead a calm and peaceable
life in all reverence and seriousness.” (1Tim 2:1-2)
“And seek the
peace of the city where I have exiled you, and pray to יהוה for it, for in its peace you
have peace.”
(Jer 29:7)
©2021
No comments:
Post a Comment