This should be an interesting study, controversial nonetheless. Even if you follow this series and disagree, don’t delete it in disgust. Write your rebuttal and I will forward it for everyone to read. One reason I write is to test my own views. Just because I am Christian doesn’t mean I have to remain ignorant regarding conundrums of life. Wouldn’t you agree? It is at this time that I would ordinarily present my outline for series; however, I’m not sure where this study will start or where it will end. I do promise to give you something that will be worth your reading time. Once again, thank you for positive words that you have sent me regarding daily devotional materials. I bless you in Jesus’ name. I pray that it is well with you all days of your life. Please remember to pray for one another. Keep faith. Jesus is our soon coming King!

Pastor T.

Series’ Title: “Higher Law”

Purpose of study: To present, through study and writing, philosophy of Divine Law as highest law in universe.

Format: Electronic mail daily, Monday through Friday to interested readers.

Writer’s position: God’s Law is above man’s laws. Man will one day answer to God’s Law either willingly or eternally condemned. There is no third position either God is God and man is subject to Him in eternity, or man is his own god currently and may live in defiance to God (free moral agent) until final judgment at Christ’s return.

The Bible also lays down strict laws regarding property losses due to crime. The guilty party is to recompense victim. Romans chapter 13 teaches that Christians are to obey law of land, resisting only when national law is opposed to God’s law. The chapter also talks about capital punishment. The state is one entity sanctioned by God to “bear sword...” The Nohaic Covenant established right of capital punishment. If a man takes life of another human being by murder, his life is required for that life. (I’ve never understood logic behind drafting a teenager to fight and die in a war, and then arguing that it’s wrong to execute a convicted killer. Maybe we should draft convicted killer to fight and die in our wars and let teenagers go on with their lives.)

We live in an imperfect society. Man’s justice can fail. Innocent people can get hurt. That’s why it is important to adhere to God’s order of society, laid out in His Word. God with His guidance can be our safeguard against injustices. Nevertheless, just because our justice system in America is flawed by imperfect men does not give us right to rebel against law of land by refusing to render to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s. God has ordained human government. Law and order is good, and God sanctions it for good of all.

If you would, please indulge me in a few personal comments somewhat related to today’s topic.

American patriots were willing to declare war against England for their National Independence. Do you remember why? It involved more than just a complaint about “taxation without representation.” The American patriots were not lawless men. There had to be a greater cause to rebel rather than unfair trade laws. What was it? As far back in world history as Protestant Reformation, John Calvin who was one of greatest thinkers and Biblical scholars of all times began to write and publish his views regarding Biblical societies (what they were and how they operate). He believed that societies could function for good of believer and glorify God. He believed, among other things, that law and order had to be upheld in society to suppress debased nature of man that could be ruthless. His ideas were put into practice and worked well. His teaching influenced many great minds of day. Together with Calvin, these men and their ideas revolutionized church and state governments. Over time, teachings evolved and influenced European groups like Puritans of England. This led to expansion of Calvin’s ideas of law and order being implemented in “New England” America. So philosophy regarding representative rule in government, and sacredness of human life were sown during Reformation; they were later carried across Atlantic by Pilgrims and Puritans to build “New Jerusalem”, in new world.

By 18th century enlightenment age was producing authors that began to expand on idea of man’s inalienable rights. These writers agreed that man had God given rights that only God could give or take away. These enlightened writers expressed this in literature that European intellectuals and American patriots were reading. The thought that men had rights that no government could infringe upon was fanning flames of Revolution in America. Over time these American Revolutionaries began to embrace these ideas and promote them openly as America’s right to national independence. With this philosophy in hand, patriots felt they had a divine right to wage war against England. When they drafted Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, they defended their right for Independence against tyranny by underscoring man’s divine rights: no human government had right to supersede Highest Law in universe. God’s Law is highest law.

And now here we are over 200 years later in America again divided on whether or not U. S. Constitution is highest law. If it is, then every state and federal law is subject to it, and U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of U. S. Constitution. I’m calling for a revolution, not with sword or rifle. I’m calling for Christians in America to stand up and be counted. I’m calling for Christians to honor God’s Law, His way of doing things. A nation that denounces God’s Law is bound to fail. That is, my friend, lesson of history. Pastor T.