Responsible Government

October 8

(Acts 19:36-41 NIV) "Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. {37} You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. {38} If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. {39} If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. {40} As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of today's events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." {41} After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly."

(Romans 13:1-7 NIV) "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. {2} Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. {3} For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. {4} For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. {5} Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. {6} This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. {7} Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

(Matthew 22:21 NIV) "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

The God of Scripture is a God of order, not chaos. The mob mentality seen in Acts 19 and that we see on our news broadcasts, is not of God. Responsible government will favor order over chaos, but remain neutral regarding the establishment of religion. The city clerk in Ephesus reminded the mob that it was not the government’s business to judge one religion as better than another. Government’s role is to protect and maintain order. He told them that if laws had been broken, the offenders could be taken to court in an orderly fashion. But the government would not punish people just for having a different religion, nor would it allow any kind of rioting or mob action. Good government will not legislate or mandate religious beliefs. It will not bless a particular religion, nor will it display hostility toward religion. Instead it will protect and work for the good of all. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day  

Grace Out of Darkness

October 7

(Acts 19:35 NIV) “The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Ephesus, doesn't all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven?”

(Ephesians 2:1-9 NIV) “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, {2} in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. {3} All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. {4} But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, {5} made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. {6} And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, {7} in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. {8} For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- {9} not by works, so that no one can boast.”

One of the greatest truths of Scripture comes from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We are saved by grace through faith, not by our works. This “amazing grace” letter becomes even more significant when you consider that Ephesus was a very dark and idolatrous city. The Temple of Artemis was huge and ornate. It was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The worship of Artemis was sophisticated, upscale idolatry, but idolatry nonetheless. Those who worshipped at her altar were part of the darkness. They were even willing to kill for her, as evidenced by the mob that went after Paul. But God poured out His grace at Ephesus -- people were saved, and a church grew there. The love of God overcomes the hate of the world. Light dispels darkness. Darkness may despise the light, but the light continues to shine. This is our calling as disciples of Jesus. Shine! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day

Religious Competition

October 6

(Acts 19:33-34 NIV) ““The Jews pushed Alexander to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. {34} But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!””

(Matthew 24:7-14 NIV) “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. {8} All these are the beginning of birth pains. {9} "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. {10} At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, {11} and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. {12} Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, {13} but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. {14} And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

When religion drives the hearts of people and their economy, it will not tolerate dissent. It is easier to eliminate those who challenge the system than to compete in the marketplace of ideas. Mob violence becomes a standard response. We see it here in the near-death experience of Paul and his friends in Ephesus. We see it in the killing of Jesus, and in the angry crowd surrounding the cross. We see it in our world today in the public beheadings of those considered infidels, and in the sinister character assassination of anyone foolish enough to challenge the secular gods of political correctness. Even Christianity, when twisted just a bit, can become a toxic religion that burns heretics at the stake, and drowns those suspected of witchcraft. This is not the way of Jesus! He offers love, and heals hearts with grace and forgiveness. We should do the same. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day 

Chaos Reigns

October 5

(Acts 19:29-32 NIV) “Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul's traveling companions from Macedonia, and rushed as one man into the theater. {30} Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. {31} Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. {32} The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there.”

(Romans 1:18-23, 28-31 NIV) “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, {19} since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. {20} For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. {21} For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. {22} Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools {23} and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles…. {28} Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. {29} They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, {30} slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; {31} they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.”

The God of Scripture is a God of order. Chaos is of the devil. Mob violence is evil -- it is not of God. Where people are in an uproar and rush as one man to ruthlessly destroy and do senseless harm, Satan has taken control. When people reject divine guidance, one finds heartless depravity, futile thinking, and confusion about purpose and direction. Chaos reigns, and we end up not even knowing why we are here. This can happen with crowds, and with individuals. God offers peace and light, but we are addicted to chaos and darkness. We turn away from God, and then can’t figure out why our lives are so disordered and empty. We worship false gods, and our main purpose in life becomes survival. There is a better way. Jesus offers peace and light in the place of calamity and darkness. Let Christ reign instead of chaos. Embrace Jesus and be set free. Our God reigns! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day