I cannot think of a single person that I know who would ever come remotely close to claiming that we live in a perfect world. We don't even really need to look at the world around us to see this. We have more than enough evidence in our families and our own lives. Turning on the TV, the radio, or connection to the internet simply confirms what life shows us. We do not live in a perfect world.
However, if we did live in a perfect world, we would notice a lot of differences. One of the differences would be in how those who govern us, or rule over us, go about their business. If the world were perfect, they would do exactly as God says and wills and desires. There would be no difference between what the rulers of the world wanted and what God wanted. They would find themselves in perfect agreement, and would be working to the same ends.
But we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a very flawed world (the Bible would use the word sinful there, which is far more appropriate, but that's another topic for another day). And one of the ways we see that flawedness (sinfulness) is in those who govern or rule. The morning or evening news goes to great lengths to document how flawed some governments in the world are. Every day lately, we seem to be hearing more and more news about places like North Korea. And while we can look at places such as that to see the flawed governments, we also need to remember that we don't even have to look at places other than our own nation.
Because we live in a flawed, sinful world, the rulers of the nations do NOT necessarily seek to govern as God would, or according to His will and design. Sure, there are some things that God says that make sense to all rulers. It's hard to govern well when you allow rampant murder, or when theft is encouraged. But the reality is that, beyond a few general ways, those who govern find their source of right and wrong from places other than what God has to say.
I don't think any of us would ever go so far as to say that those who govern are perfect, no matter what their faith may be. But it is necessary to begin our look at how we, as Christians, view those who govern, and how what they say impacts our lives, before we engage in some of the more challenging decisions that our rulers have to make.
However, if we did live in a perfect world, we would notice a lot of differences. One of the differences would be in how those who govern us, or rule over us, go about their business. If the world were perfect, they would do exactly as God says and wills and desires. There would be no difference between what the rulers of the world wanted and what God wanted. They would find themselves in perfect agreement, and would be working to the same ends.
But we don't live in a perfect world. We live in a very flawed world (the Bible would use the word sinful there, which is far more appropriate, but that's another topic for another day). And one of the ways we see that flawedness (sinfulness) is in those who govern or rule. The morning or evening news goes to great lengths to document how flawed some governments in the world are. Every day lately, we seem to be hearing more and more news about places like North Korea. And while we can look at places such as that to see the flawed governments, we also need to remember that we don't even have to look at places other than our own nation.
Because we live in a flawed, sinful world, the rulers of the nations do NOT necessarily seek to govern as God would, or according to His will and design. Sure, there are some things that God says that make sense to all rulers. It's hard to govern well when you allow rampant murder, or when theft is encouraged. But the reality is that, beyond a few general ways, those who govern find their source of right and wrong from places other than what God has to say.
I don't think any of us would ever go so far as to say that those who govern are perfect, no matter what their faith may be. But it is necessary to begin our look at how we, as Christians, view those who govern, and how what they say impacts our lives, before we engage in some of the more challenging decisions that our rulers have to make.
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