A common practice amongst government departments is that of lobbying. Lobbyists put pressure on individuals in government to persuade them to do something. We are also familiar with terms like group pressure, peer pressure and social pressure. The idea is to influence someone to conform to those who are doing the pressuring. This can, of course, be positive or negative. Scripture warns us to be wary of group think. “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil” (Exodus 23:2). It is rare in … [Read more...] about Following the Crowd
Living by the Word
Choose Life
As God prepared Israel for its occupation of the land of Canaan – the land He had promised them – He firmly reminded them of the centrality of His law to their existence. He told them that His commandments were near to them – in their hearts (Deuteronomy 30:11-14). God’s law set two clear and distinct ways of life before them. On the one hand was life and good, while on the other was death and evil. The law defined these two ways, so they were clearly discernable. The assault on God’s law … [Read more...] about Choose Life
God’s Law Builds Relationships
The law of God requires us to focus very heavily on relationships, our reconciled relationship with the Father dominating. However, from our close relationship with Him flows our relationship with other people. All people are created in the image of God and with the potential to be members of God’s family. We should never lose that focus. God’s law embraces our relationship with all people. A good example of this is in Leviticus 19 where several principles of how people should relate with each … [Read more...] about God’s Law Builds Relationships
Consider Our Ways
Analogies can be very useful in transferring a pertinent message from one subject to another. It can point from one physical thing to another or from the physical to the spiritual. Consider what God said through the prophet Haggai. “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; You eat, but do not have enough; You drink, but you are not … [Read more...] about Consider Our Ways
Honesty Begins with Self
In a recently released survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, people who claimed to have no religious affiliation were asked what it means to be a moral person. For this group, the top answer was honesty – to be honest at all times. Given the group involved, this is an interesting response. What do non-religious people mean by honesty? The bible informs us that when people are separated from God by iniquity the mind lacks this moral quality. “No one calls for justice. Nor does any plead … [Read more...] about Honesty Begins with Self
How Do We Use Authority?
When we consider biblical authority and how we should use authority, do we consider it from man’s perspective or God's perspective? The disciples came to Christ and asked Him a basic question, who would have the preeminent position – to sit at his right and left hand (Matthew 20:21-27). Sitting at the King’s right and left hand by its very definition implies position, power and the ability to exercise authority – which in human terms implies the ability to control others. Christ’s response to … [Read more...] about How Do We Use Authority?
As A Little Child
In a family relationship, children play an important role and help contextualize the meaning of God’s government in the realm of human beings. We all understand, academically, that we are children of God, but adults think, reason, and act differently than children do. This is the natural progression of maturity. As adults, molded by the realities of life, we tend to value reason and self-reliance. We can also complicate things that are inherently simple, questioning what we see and hear, and … [Read more...] about As A Little Child