Lies, Lunacy and Limitations

In this country, the limits of our government’s authority have long been defined by the noble intentions of men.

A fool will argue that those good intentions are the source of his freedom, rather than the guardian of it.  But the wise man understands that real freedom is unattainable outside of a regenerate life bound up together with Jesus Christ.

There is, however, another dynamic which sets boundaries for human governing authorities. In his letter to all who [were] beloved of God in Rome, called as saints, the apostle Paul wrote:

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been established by God.”  [Rom. 13:1]

The authority that comes from God cannot contradict itself.  For example, if God is indeed authority, that authority can never authorize the killing of human fetuses or sanction sexual perversion in any form.  So, any act of government which exacts evil upon its moral subjects can never be regarded as either lawful or binding.

In other words, for those who claim to belong to Jesus Christ, the jurisdiction of federal, state or municipal authority ends at the very point it begins to clash with Biblical fidelity.

What then?  Should Christ’s disciple familiarize himself with the limits of men’s authority, or should he dwell on the infinite boundaries of God’s authority?

Perhaps by focusing on the quality of life that He wants me to experience rather than baseless fears, I’d be more prepared to identify the lies being fabricated about the severity of a seasonal virus or the frailties of the human immune system.

We must not allow ourselves to be deceived.

Deceit is a transgression of no varied intensity.  It doesn’t keep score, nor does it regulate its venom.  The lies that have forced us to close our businesses, keep our distance and cover our faces are no less an evil strategy than the abhorrence of murdering children in the womb or the crippling of our national morale by attempting to dismantle our public safety institutions.

So you think that’s a stretch?

Think again.  Lies and lunacy are leaven which spread quickly in a free society.

And if I allow even the smallest amounts to invade my life, their potentiality will soon become my master rather than my servant.  The illusion of security will consume me, and the myth of their benevolence will eventually crush me.

I’ll never know it hit me.