A Martyr for the Lord – Today’s Thoughts…

A Martyr for the Lord – Today’s Thoughts…
By Pastor Lee Hemen
November 12, 2008

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men. (Titus 3:1-2)

During an administration that one does not truly believe in, it is sometimes difficult as Christians to be what God would have us be. But we are called to be his people no matter who is President. Paul was telling Titus that it was his job as their spiritual leader to “remind” them “to be subject to the rulers and authorities” over them. The idea here is to suggest that the followers of Christ were to be examples even to those who were their local leaders. So, does that let the rest of us off the hook as far as President is concerned? No. We are first and foremost to be obedient to Christ who is our Chief Shepherd no matter who is our Commander and Chief here in America. The idea here of “obedience” is being subject to, and we are all subject to the laws of the land whether we like them or not. However, we are never to acquiesce our faith to obedience to the government. In fact, this is where we get our word “martyr” from. It literally means “witness,” and many early Christians were “martus,” witnesses unto death and therefore word became synonymous with Christians dying for their faith.

While few of us may be unwilling to die for our faith, we are called “to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” This does not mean we can never disagree, stand up for our own faith, or be the witnesses we are supposed to be for the Lord. However, our public disenchantment with the government is to also reflect the Lord. We are to exemplify him in all we do, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

This means we can criticize and disagree with the ungodliness that we see reflected within the government, especially by those in leadership who claim to be followers of Christ but prove otherwise by their leadership and actions. Yet we are to do it as a Christian, reflecting our true leader, the Lord and not a mere human being that we have elected. In fact, to give anyone in earthly leadership the same adulation that is supposed to be reserved for God alone is blaspheme and ungodly in the extreme.

So, dear child of the Lord, today if you are unhappy or even if you are excited about what occurred this past election cycle, you are called to Christ first and foremost. Never forget that. So as this Administration begins to lead the people of this land, we as believers are to still reflect the Lord in all we do showing everyone whom we truly follow.
—-
This article is copyrighted © 2008 by Lee Hemen and if you reprint it, reproduce it, or want to use it in any way, you must do so in its entirety or get the written permission of its author.