Dictionary definition: ignoring or breaking the law, especially violently.
Thesaurus: insurgent, revolutionary, mutinous, riotous, outlaw, violent.
One feature of the close of the present age that Jesus warned His disciples about was an upsurge of lawlessness.
Matt 24:12
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
Jesus indicated that many Christians would be infected by this prevailing lawlessness
and as a result their love for God and His people would grow cold. The essence of lawlessness is a rejection of authority. This has become an obvious feature of our contemporary culture. There is a widespread contempt for any rules or regulations that interfere with each person’s individual liberty. People are very forceful in asserting their “rights”, yet very reluctant to acknowledge their corresponding responsibilities. At times, the consequence is a condition bordering on anarchy. As Christians, we have to guard ourselves against this kind of attitude.
We are required to show our respect for our spiritual leaders and legitimate secular authority .
But first and foremost, we must cultivate and maintain an attitude of respect and obedience toward God our Father and toward Jesus our Saviour. This will be expressed in a corresponding attitude of respect and obedience towards God’s Word, the Scriptures.
John 14:23-24
Jesus says, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word … He who does not love Me does not keep My words.
We may claim to love God and we may even pray long and eloquent prayers or preach long and eloquent sermons. However, we do not honour and obey God by going through religious actions without having a lifestyle of holiness. In the midst of prevailing lawlessness it would be appropriate for each of us to make a fresh affirmation of our unreserved and total submission to the authority of Scripture.
2 Tim 3:16
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.
5 comments:
Cathy I have a question,
Where do you think this lawlessness applies? Do you really think it is about North American citizens in respect to their government? Some countries in the world today have very honest and law-abiding citizens (to the point they inform on other citizens)- Switzerland is one.
What if the lawlessness that Jesus is talking about applies to the governments themselves? How far is our western culture removed from the laws of Moses- economic practice, treatment of foreigners, sexual practices, and the list goes on.
Business used to be a personal thing, now we live in a world of check-boxes and forms. Justice is a difficult thing to obtain unless you can afford a lawyer. Big Corporations attack the little guys, Government puts people in jail for not paying fines or taxes (that some cannot afford).
There is no longer a year of Jubilee- instead people struggle for their entire lives. Perhaps this is the meaning of Matt 24:12?
Alex, you make some really good points that I agree with. But somehow I think those who call themselves the church are the reason for this lawlessness. Apathy and indifference are the order of the day...and worst of all, PRAYERLESSNESS. The scriptures say in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 - But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
In general, there is little if no difference between the world and the church. The bride is asleep. So progressively everything in the world sinks to lower levels and base instincts. Looking out for our own interests becomes paramount. We use people for our own ends, and even try to use God. If our light isnt shining or is dim, the world's darkness will become darker. We have bought into the world system of thinking, and as a man thinks in his heart, so he becomes. We have all like sheep gone astray, each one to his own way..we must return to the lover of our souls..this is the starting place; we must (as the Laodician church) begin to see our true spritual condition. Turning away from our own ways, our own wisdom, our own solutions is the beginning point as is said 2 Chronicles 7:14
New Living Translation (NLT)
Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.
Restoring of the land involves fear of the Lord, which includes God wisdom and justice prevailing. It's not about outward compliance as much as it is about a heart that seeks, yearns and desires God more than anything, and is willing to pay the price of obedience for an eternal reward...
Sorry for rambling but sometimes I think we are barking up the wrong tree...any thoughts?
Thanks for your comment on my blog- I'm in Cranbrook right now, tomorrow we head for Trail. It's a shame but we haven't even had time to meet any of my friends, let alone maybe meet some of the guys I know through the blogosphere.
I think you quote the scriptures in the right context, and it seems that the law being referred to is Christ's law in our hearts.
Certainly those scriptures are appealing to believers who have come from all different backgrounds. So we are implored to shed our old natures and lawless (sinful) ways and be in Christ.
What I think is important is that we recognise being subject to the laws of the land we are living in, is a choice based on the law of love. When a government makes laws that go against that (anything that contradicts a love of God or of another human being), then we are called to be obedient to the law of Christ and not the law of the government.
So for example, how should the Church respond to illegal immigrants, especially those that might seek sanctuary in a Christian community? Is it our job to inform to the authorities (law of the land), or what would Christ's law (love your neighbour) have us do?
Good question..and I really appreciate your thoughtful comments. In my opinion, there is no outward law to determine what we do in these cases. Depending on the situation, the Holy Spirit may lead me to inform the authorities, and in some cases to provide shelter and care. We must resist the temptation to make a law of anything not clearly written. Walking in the Spirit means we can't trust our own judgment and we must inquire of the Lord in each and every situation. I would say however, if I err, I would rather err on the side of love. I do know however, that in the past I have thought that I was doing something in love, and later found out that I was enabling someone's co-dependant behaviour and that the most loving thing I could have done was to hold them accountable and speak the truth firmly and gently. It really takes God's wisdom and discerment which we learn "by reason of use" - often by our mistakes! And also, we need to be careful we don't use our "love" as an excuse not to obey authorities. Even Jesus commanded that things be done properly and in order according to the laws of the land (ie paying taxes). The laws he most contravened, were the "religious laws" that put stumblingblocks in peoples way, so that they couldnt see or know the Father's heart.
Hope you have a great time visiting our country and have a nice time in Maui. I was there once about 20 years ago...im sure its changed alot since then.
Thanks,
Yes, I think you're right, the key is
"We must resist the temptation to make a law of anything not clearly written. Walking in the Spirit means we can't trust our own judgment and we must inquire of the Lord in each and every situation."
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