Rebellion kills

TODAY'S READING: Deuteronomy 21:18-21
Rebellion is a significant problem today. Not just young people, but people of all ages rebel against authority. Now, I will grant you the fact that some authority figures have taken advantage of their power and created this mess. However, that does not free us from respecting those in authority. This idea is a chord that runs through Scripture. Here are a few examples...
Obey the government, for God is the one who put it there. All governments have been placed in power by God. So those who refuse to obey the laws of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow. For the authorities do not frighten people who are doing right, but they frighten those who do wrong. So do what they say, and you will get along well. The authorities are sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for you will be punished. The authorities are established by God for that very purpose, to punish those who do wrong. So you must obey the government for two reasons: to keep from being punished and to keep a clear conscience. (Romans 13:1-5)
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Work hard, but not just to please your masters when they are watching. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free. (Ephesians 6:5-8)
Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
Government.
Employers.
Shepherds.
God's word is pretty clear. We are called to respect authority in all areas of our life. And as I discussed earlier this week, this starts at home.
Well, back to our Deuteronomy passage. Am I advocating that we start killing children who are stubborn or rebellious? Not really. I would like to have a youth group to work with.
But seriously, the message behind what we read here is that respect and obedience is an important part of the community. If we cannot develop mutual respect and honor our society will fall apart. What would that look like? Divorce. Abortion. Suicide. Violence. Loneliness. Disconnectedness. Selfishness. Recreational sex. Addictions. Poverty. Class warfare. Racism. Need I say more?
It is obvious to me that respect has slowly deteriorated in our culture. It can be seen in the way we treat one another and in our behavior. It is made evident by the things our culture places value on.
But as followers of Christ we are called to live differently. We are compelled to resist the flow and live swimming upstream. Even in the absence of respect, we are to be respectful. When honor is not observed, we must show honor to others. When society tells us to "do what feels right," we are challenged by God to do what we know is right.
Is it easy? No. It will not be easy either. But unless we are willing to be transformed by God and stop conforming to the world we live in, we will never make a difference. We may be misunderstood. We will probably be mocked. And chances are we will face persecution. But isn't that what we signed up for when we decided to follow Jesus?
"When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you. Do you remember what I told you? `A servant is not greater than the master.' Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you! The people of the world will hate you because you belong to me, for they don't know God who sent me." (John 15:18-21)
Today we don't kill children for disrespect, but the reality is that disrespect still kills. It kills our ability to love others sacrificially. It kills our ability serve selflessly. It kills our ability to trust and obey God. And maybe that is why stubborn, rebellious children were killed back then. Not as punishment, but to protect their hearts and the hearts of the community they lived in. Isn't it important that we continue to protect the hearts of those in the community of God in this day and age?

shine!
Jason