Law of integrity for the authorities

The Bible Calendar for the 5th of June, 2024.

Deuteronomy 17: 1–18: 8

Obadiah 1

Luke 11: 14–36

POINTS:

1. Law of Integrity for the Authorities

2. Possess Your Possessions

3. Shine the Light for all to See

1. LAW OF INTEGRITY FOR THE AUTHORITIES

The highest authorities to handle any case till today are the Judges and the Ministers, the former represent the states and the latter represent the church. Anyone who fails to honor them faces the consequences. These two entities are well respected today, and they do not contradict each other, for instance, any case (except criminal case) can be released to the minister when he pleads, and Judges respect the entry of a Minister in their Courts, they call them “My Lord Spiritual.” Moses told the Israelites to obey the Judges and the Levites and that anyone who disobeyed them should be killed so that all may fear God and remove evil from the land. Today many have spoiled the integrity of the ministers to the extent that they are no longer respected in the state, as many have hidden under the umbrella of this influential name to do evil.  Many see the ministry as a way to gather wealth since the Pastorate is no more by heritage but by calling and the call has no specimen to prove such calling, but we must respect them in the name of the Lord and those that are not called will soon be exposed, because by their fruits they shall be known. The New Testament Bible backs up the Mosaic Law to respect the Ministers as he says we should listen to those that rule over us for they are placed there by God. Any matter settled by the church in the olden days is permanently settled, but many church members are not ready to abide by the church rules anymore, some even challenge the authority of the church in the Court which is forbidden by the Scripture as Paul said to that effect that “I say this to your shame”. Whatever happens, when the church ministers settle it all Christians should respect God, it is certain the minister is not God and he will settle the matter according to the report of both, he has nothing to gain in taking the side to favor any person in the case and it is certain that the case can’t favor both sides but why can’t you allow yourself to be cheated for the sake of peace? Sincerely, all Christians and state leaders have lost their integrity because they do what they’re supposed not to do. The New Testament concept calls them along with three aspects of respected positions of which the Kings, Judges, and Priest are embedded. But all these positions have done contrary to their calling, even the chosen of many of them are questioning and not scriptural, the consequences are the societal problems we have today. For instance, Moses stated things the kings should not do; he said the king should be chosen among his people, that is he should not be a stranger, he should not gather wealth for himself, he should not enslave the people, he should not marry many wives, the Book of the Law must be given to him to study daily that he may not contravene the law of God and the laws of the land. These rules are also in line with that of the position of authorities in the New Testament but Many kings and other rulers in the state and church have lost their dignity to the extent that the State rules against them because they have contravened this Mosaic Law which abounds in all nations in the world consciously or unconsciously. The Christians are made to be the Priest and the King and we are bound to keep these laws for it is the order of integrity, and grace did not render such law useless but rather strengthened us to abide.

2. POSSESS YOUR POSSESSIONS

No matter how the situation may be, there must be deliverance for the children of God and they must possess their possession. Prophet Obadiah alerted the people of his time to remember Zion and her promise, that they must be delivered when they go to Mount Zion also they shall possess their possessions. The people in Captivity remembered this promise of Zion and they were delivered. People like Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel, and others possessed their possession through their characters, prayers, and demonstration of God’s presence to their generations where they found themselves, but today’s generation fails to recognize their Zion, the place of righteousness, prayer, and presence of God is hidden to many Christians today, and they are unable to possess their possessions.  Let us, therefore go to the Lord He will teach us his way, the place of prayer is our way to the Cross and there will be deliverance, also we shall get back all that we have lost. The important possession we must possess is our stand in the Lord where all other things shall locate us, our business, family, and ministry shall live under the shadow of the God Almighty.

3. SHINE THE LIGHT FOR ALL TO SEE

Light cannot be hidden for it is more powerful than any coverage, no matter how small the light may be, the darkness must surely respect the light. Jesus asked all His followers to be the light and He says you are the light of the world that cannot be hidden. That’s why Christians are known everywhere for their characters and those that derailed will be condemned even by the unbelievers. In our workplace, house, family community, market, and in the nation we must be known as the light. They may not be ready to associate with us for they know our values, the evil recognized Jesus than other people and they bowed for Him and all that comes from Him are carrying the image of Him as the light anywhere they are. Christians are the light of this nation and it is a must for the darkness to fight us, but the light shines so much and the darkness could not comprehend it. Let us shine the light for all in the darkness to see that they may come to the light of the Son of God. Light is very gentle but reveals all the secrets and this is the very reason why the darkness hates to come around the light because their works are evil and coming around the light will expose their evil deed. We are threatened by the darkness instead of the darkness to be threatened by us; because we failed to know our value that would have revealed their evil works. When all the secrets are uncovered the darkness will give way to spread the light of God more and more, for we are the light of the world. Power to be the light everywhere shall be given to us in Jesus’ name.

 Pastor M. O. Shodipe.

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