12/30/2020
As we go through life, governments, kings, and men will rule over us, but in truth they are allowed this dominion only because God has given it to them. Some are righteous, some simply moral, and others vicious and harsh in nature, but each one serves a purpose that God alone has destined them for, and whether good or bad, they will be judged accordingly. Being given power over us does not insure their salvation, wisdom, or any preferential treatment when they are judged before God.
“Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin.””John 19:11 ESV
When Jesus was brought before Pilate for judgement He had already been captured by a company of men who were led by captains, and was turned over to the high priest who governed under the Jewish law, now He was being judged once more under Roman law. There are many who lord over us during our lives, and each one of them has been given some right to do this by God. Think about all of those who you answer to in your life, and the kind of people they are; then ask yourself why God might have placed them in the position they hold... and you in yours. Know this; that according to how they rule they will be held accountable before God, and by how you serve, you will be judged as well.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”Hebrews 13:17 ESV
So if you manage people for your company, exercise authority as a police officer, or perhaps make decisions as a deacon, priest, or pastor, you have been given that responsibility, and you will be judged greater than those you rule over because of this. We tend to limit God’s hand in who He can give such authority to those who are mighty, such as kings, presidents, and governments, but there are so many others... even we ourselves can become rulers. We are given dominion over our households to manage, and If in no other way we are told to exercise this authority over our children...
“He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?”1 Timothy 3:4-5 ESV
So it is that when someone comes to your door and asks one of your children who’s house this is, your child will answer that it is his father and mother’s house. Children acknowledge the fact that they do not have authority to speak for that house. This is a parent’s domain, and they alone are responsible for it. God has blessed you in this way, and He will judge you by how well you administer the responsibility He has given you. Are you a godly household leader, and ruling righteously over what you are given according to God’s Word, and the gospel of Jesus Christ? When you stand in judgement will you be prepared to answer for how you have managed what God placed in your care, just as you will answer for your role as a servant?
“for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.”Romans 14:11-12 ESV
There is no separation between how we manage our own faith, children, households, employees, or parishioners, when it comes to our increased responsibility for how we lead them. Whether we are at home, church, work, government, or other places where we are in authority, that authority is given to us by God, and we are to rule according to His Word, commandments, and precepts. God rules over us and has not only given us into the hands of Jesus, but has given others into our hands as well... so how well will we answer for the way we have loved, and taken care of them? Will we be able to answer as Jesus did...
“While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.”John 17:12 ESV
So we expect our kings, presidents, pastors, and the CEOs of our companies, to answer to God for what they have been given, and what they do, but are we ready to do likewise? Do we take responsibility in our everyday life for behaving as a Christian should... knowing full well that we will be judged accordingly? Do we realize what God has placed in our hands?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for those you have placed in my care through the years, and given me responsibility for each day. Thank you Lord for showing me how to manage, and lead them by the example that Jesus set during His life. Help me Father to continue in wisdom when it is called for, to be strong when strength is needed, and righteous in all my ways. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who teaches us of yourself by allowing us many small responsibilities, and holding us accountable for them. Praised be your name for each one of those you place in our hands, even if for a workday, or as we raise them into righteous men and women of Faith. Merciful are you Father for teaching us through Jesus Christ, and your Holy Spirit, how to lead these souls to you, and to demonstrate to them how a righteous father, mother, or leader should behave. We thank you for hearing our prayers as we ask for your forgiveness when we have sinned and made poor decisions, or have been responsible for others having done such things by following our leadership, or obeying our command. Give us wisdom Lord, and teach us to be more like Jesus each day. Raise us up in faith so that our actions and leadership will be infused with righteousness, and made pure through the blood of Christ who we are following with our crosses across our shoulders. We pray that on the day of our judgement we will be worthy in your eyes, not only as individuals who have sought our own salvation, but as leaders in whom you have entrusted the souls of many. May our lives bring you glory, and our leadership in the world glorify your name before all creation. Great is your name, and greatly are you to be praised!
Rich Forbes