Comprehending Pink’s Commandments Part 31

Foreword:

The following exerpt is taken from The Ten Commandments  by Arthur W. Pink

(BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 1994 GRAND RAPIDS, MI)

In this blog series I will work through this very important article a paragraph at a time – asking my reader comprehension style questions at the end. I have been much convicted by the writings of Pink and I pray your walk will also be strengthened meditating on his teaching of scripture …

THE FIFTH COMMANDMENT PART III

Secondly, let us observe our duties to rulers and magistrates whom God has set over us. These are God's deputies and vicegerents, being invested with authority from Him: "by Me kings reign" (Prov. 8:15). God has ordained civil authority for the general good of mankind, for were it not for this men would be savage beasts preying upon one another. Did not the fear of magistrates restrain those who have cast off the fear of God, were they not afraid of temporal punishments, we should be as safe among lions and tigers as among men. Rulers are to be honored in our thoughts, regarding them as the official representatives of God upon earth (Eccl. 10:20; Rom. 13:lff; Acts 23:5). They are to be revered in our speeches, supporting their office and authority, for of the wicked it is written, "they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities" (2 Pet. 2:20). We are to obey them. "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well" (1 Pet. 2:13, 14). We are to render "tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour" (Rom. 13:7). We are to pray for them (1 Tim. 2:1, 2).

1) Considering that Peter and Paul wrote these scriptures (referred to at the end of the exerpt) at a time when a truly ruthless man was ruling as Ceasar and was persecuting Christians in horrific ways – how much more should we obey when over us are placed (for the moment) far more benevolent rulers?

2) It has ever been God’s wonderful way that he would use imperfect mankind and imperfect men to achieve his Holy will. That he would use a man like me to be a messenger to the world offering the hope of salvation in Jesus is proof that God really can draw a straight line with a bent stick.  Therefore we should apply the same reasoning to following the edicts of those in authority over us even when these same are not Christians or are wicked in thought and deed. Again I ask, as I did in a previous enstallment of this series: what is the one exception to this rule? When must we (as Christians) disobey rulers and authorities of any kind over us?

3) Finally imagine a world without authority. Imagine the chaos. The book and the film: 'Lord Of The Flies' has this idea as one of its core themes and I encourage you to read or see it. In truth it is better even to have a terrible regime than none at all, for within the terrible regime there will be honest, empathetic and honourable people who crave order and stability. Satan can never have it all his way. Pray then for your leaders without ceasing.