Following Leaders
The group has been discussing this scripture, so I thought I would post it and comment. Here is the scripture in the New International Version of the Bible which is fairly easy reading:
1 “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.
2 “Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
3 “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.
4 “For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
5 “Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience.
6 “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
7 “Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.” From Romans 13:1-7
When reading scriptures like this that may seem questionable, one must not blindly accept it literally just because it comes from the Bible. The Bible was written by fallible people just like the best of humanity today. Even though the book has in it much that is inspired, one must always ask these questions as he reads:
* Is this statement always true in every circumstance or is it relative to circumstance?
* Is the real truth of this statement revealed through the filters and circumstances of the time in which it was written?
* Is it possible the writer was just mistaken and not inspired?
In finding the truth one must always look within to his own soul and see what kind of vibration is felt when the words are applied to various circumstances.
For instance… The Founding Fathers of the United States literally thumbed their nose up at literal obedience to this scripture. They rejected the authority of England and King George and cried “no taxation without representation.”
Then we learn of Stauffenberg and his group of conspirators who rebelled against Hitler.
Did they do the wrong thing and jeopardize their souls?
The soul within cries no.
Shall we then disregard the scripture entirely since there have been many times in history where it has been right to defy authority?
No.
Instead we must examine the scripture and discern the truth behind the words which is this:
First, in the days of the early Christians they were suspected of being disloyal to the state and the slightest infraction would put their lives in danger. Therefore, the leaders went the extra mile in encouraging their members to be respectful to authorities and pay their taxes.
Secondly, this scripture gives good advice to many who think they have achieved a little enlightenment. Many such people become a law unto themselves for a time. Because they have acquired a little new inner freedom they think they can be free of all outer laws and need to show no respect for them. Unless there is an overriding reason to rebel, as did the Founding Fathers, they are not justified in breaking society’s laws.
For one thing, even in corrupt societies many of the laws are just for they prohibit theft, murder, rape, etc. Unless the disciple is sure he is getting a message from his soul to the contrary he should do everything in his power to be a good citizen. If he does not his light will be hid under a bushel to many who are trying to be good citizens and they will be seen as corrupt and not to be emulated.
Readers in particular questioned the first verse, which reads:
“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.”
Is it true then that all our leaders and authorities are placed there by God?
The answer is yes and no.
It is yes in the fact that the life of God flows through the entire life of humanity as well as the planet; and, all things that happen are the result of the many decisions and actions of that One Great Life.
It is also yes in the fact that even terrible leaders are there because of the decisions of humanity and when there they are agents of karma. Cuba, for instance, has much repression and very little freedom. Many wished they could live in a free society such as the United States and some risk their lives to get here.
Many of these people lived lives of relative freedom in past lives but abused that freedom and supported philosophies that enslaved their fellow men.
Even so, those who now live in the United States that support enforced socialism and restricting of freedom are in danger of being born in a communist related tyranny in a future life. There they will learn the error of their thinking.
Now, on the other hand, there is not some individualized being known as God that is pulling all the strings and individually picking who will be our leaders. It is true that in past ages certain individuals were foreordained to be leaders and were born in the right circumstances to carry that out. This still happens today but to a lesser degree as more of our leaders are elected with a majority vote rather than being born into power.
As disciples then, our duty is to be good citizens and follow just rules, and when we do not agree we must work toward making positive change.
We owe more allegiance to the freedom of the human spirit than to any authority. But it is foolish to rebel for rebellion’s sake in the name of freedom. Every step taken should be well thought out and lead in the direction of positive change.
We do not remember days, we remember moments. —Cesare Pavese
Jan 24, 2009
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