"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God" (Romans 13:1-2). I believe Paul derived the teaching of submission to human authorities from the example of Jesus who submitted to the corrupt officials and authorities. If anyone had a right to defy authority Jesus did. He had done nothing wrong. There was nothing in His conduct that could be blamed. He always did that which was right, there was no sin found in Him. As believers we are called upon to suffer evil rather than to do evil. Christ being our supreme example of wrongful suffering, we are called to follow in His steps. God does not call upon us to be masochists, its by faith, we take steps to prevent any form of retaliation. As believers we are to recognize that two wrongs don't make a right. Because another abuses authority we don't have the right to fail to submit to authority. Difficult as it may seem, we must learn to submit to authority under duress, when abused, when pressured and when our desire to get a pound of flesh is strongest. The Sermon on the Mount is all about doing that which is contrary to our natural flesh. "All the ways of man are right in his own eyes" (Proverbs 14:12). The Living Bible paraphrases Proverbs 21:1 as, "Just as water is turned into irrigation ditches, so the Lord directs the king's thoughts. He turns them wherever He wants to." This greatly helps us understand God's sovereignty. Are not all governors of men under the control of God. This fact determines the history of the world. Its His Story. We learn that the "Authorities that exist are appointed by God." And "Those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." This is exactly why Moses declared the actions of Korah and company as "Rebellion against God Himself" (Numbers 16:11). Our Lord was not concerned if the government of his homeland was legal or illegal, or if it governs appropriately or inappropriately. What mattered was that the believer recognizes God's sovereignty. That means we are confident that God never sleeps or slumbers, He never looks the other way. God is totally aware of everything that happens. I believe a good understanding of God's sovereignty is necessary to truly live by faith. God is in the business of ruling His creation. That is why we can say "In God we trust." Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

Sweet Vengeance

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves: but give place unto wrath, for it is written, vengeance belongs to me, I will repay, says the Lord." (Romans 12:20). The desire to get even has no place in the life of the believer. Christ gave the example; His followers are to forgive even as He forgave them (Colossians 3:13). There are those who will treat a Christian unkindly and often with purpose, and to retaliate is a natural response. But to turn the other cheek, to go the second mile, is Christlike. This kind of living can only be done through the filling and power of the Holy Spirit. The believer is to do his best to live at peace with all men and avoid giving offense to any. Rather than avenge himself of unjust attacks, he is to return good for evil. Any thought of taking revenge must be banished from the mind. Opposition, persecution, and hatred are to be repaid positively with good. Scripture makes it clear that revenge belongs to God, and to Him alone. God's way a avenging is infinitely better for all concerned and brings glory to Himself. As Christians we need to realize we live in a moral universe that is under the authority of God. We must not play God by seeking revenge for personal affronts. God has His way of dealing with offenders either through governmental authority (13:4) or in the final judgment. When we avoid avenging ourselves and return good for evil, we give God an opportunity to work. When we take revenge into our own hands we are apt to find that at the last it produces bitter fruit. When God avenges wrong it is not done with a retaliation which is so representative of human scheming. God avenges wrong with perfect equity and justice. For the Christian this is called Kingdom living. When it come to vengeance, remember He is God and you are not. Dr. Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.