Where there is no authority there is anarchy, there is violence.

Grace Bible Church
Pastor Teacher
Robert R. McLaughlin
Tree of Life
Weekly Review
053120
Where there is no authority there is anarchy, there is violence.

We have been placed in one of the most unusual situations that has existed in the last…well at least 50 years. It is a time when unity and respect for authority has been under severe attack. In times such as these, there are certain Biblical doctrines that we need to guard in our spiritual lives.

First, I want to say that we as Grace Bible Church are doing our best to abide by the law and to stick with our Doctrinal commitments to the LORD.

Yes, I know things are a little different here as we begin the summer of 2020. However, but they will get back to some sort of order unless, of course the LORD has another plan. It could very well be that it will be a hot summer in many ways. In which case we continue to put forth the Word of GOD to a lost and dying world.

We may not like what is going on in the world but we remember we are in the world yet not of it, that is our dual citizenship.

So, let’s review a few principles that it seems many may have forgotten or ignored.

Now as I mentioned earlier, Every one of us have a dual citizenship.

PHI 3:20-21, For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ. Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

That is our eternal citizenship. However, we also have a natural citizenship that is to respect the natural authority of the government we are under; ROM 13:1-8. 1TI 2:1-2.

ROM 13:1-2, Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from GOD, and those which exist are established by GOD. Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of GOD; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Now, this is not talking about never breaking or never disagreeing with the laws of the land. However, authority is our friend; it is for us, not against us.

Where there is no authority there is anarchy, there is violence, there is burning of buildings, prejudice on all sides, stealing, destroying public property and the Christian way of life is hardly seen.

Authority is our friend and it is for us. We are to honor the authority, those in authority, even if we disagree with the authority because GOD says to do so. We are not weak, we are strong. We are not in bondage, we are free.

Our present government may pass on certain restrictions that we disagree with, so what should we do? Let me remind some of you about authority, especially spiritual authority.

This past week many believers got very sensitive about certain laws or rules and they became emotional and hypersensitive. However, what I am about to say is truth - you can do what you want to it after your hear it.

So, speaking of the natural authority, the apostle Paul was inspired by GOD the Holy Spirit to lead, me to bring up certain principles, both in the natural realm and in the spiritual realm.

ROM 13:3-4, For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For it [the natural government] is a minister of GOD to you for good. But if you do what is evil [disobey the laws of the government], be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of GOD, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.

Obey and honor authority and we will be rewarded by the LORD for doing so. Paul is saying that authority from the government is a minister of GOD to you. The question is, how are you treating the minister of GOD?

ROM 13:4, for it [the natural government] is a minister of GOD to you for good.

So, notice that as a citizen of this Nation, HIS Client Nation, the government is a minister of GOD to you for good. But if you do what is evil, if you disobey the laws of the government, then we are told; to be afraid; for it, the government does not bear the sword for nothing; for it, the government is a minister of GOD, an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.

That’s what stops nations from destroying themselves, obeying and honoring the rules of the government that you are living in.

ROM 13:5, Wherefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath [fear of what will happen if you break the law willingly], but also for conscience' sake.

Your double citizenship, in the world and most of all from Heaven above. Your attitude toward your government reveals your attitude toward the Word of GOD.

ROM 13:6, For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of GOD, devoting themselves to this very thing.

There are mistakes in the government but ultimately, they are the LORD’s problems not ours. Ours is very easy to follow: Obey the Great Commission. One of the area’s that Satan and the KOD always attacks is the Great Commission.

The great commission is found in MAT 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

If we do this, then we will fulfill the following commands from the LORD who told HIS apostles and disciples:

1. “Go therefore and make disciples or students of all the nations;” Be careful, don’t get sidetracked from your calling.
2. HE also said that they were to teach them about the spiritual baptism of being in union with our LORD as they would reveal to their converts that they had been baptized in the name or the nature of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. This was used and taught as a teaching aid that revealed the Baptism of the Spirit in the spiritual realm.

As a part of your calling you are to realize that HE is the Shepherd and we are the sheep. However, one small but important factor remains and that is as a sheep you have an under Shepherd (Pastor-Teacher) who the LORD assigned you to as an authority you are to give double-honor to.

HE is the Vine; believers are the branches. But over every branch, believer, there is someone in charge and in the Church-age that someone is your right Pastor Teacher.

Now, we are not used to certain restraints that our government is trying to try and solve these problems that we never really have seen before. But I will tell you what you cannot afford and that is that you cannot afford to do things your way only and ignore both the natural and spiritual authority that exists today.

It is time for unity under the authority of your Pastor Teacher not a time to express your personal opinion and how free you are because you won’t give into anything that seems to take away your freedom. However, all of you have the right to either accept or reject the authority that I have as your Pastor.

This was one of the reasons I wanted to make sure all of you understand because if you consider me your right Pastor then that means trusting him and obeying him when he gives certain commands to be follow willingly not by force.

Then as a part of the great commission, there is the relationships we have through the baptism of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit that calls our LORD Jesus Christ to be the Cornerstone of the building we are a part of with the Jews and Gentiles.

HE is the cornerstone of the building – one wall are the Jews, the other wall are the Gentiles, our LORD is the chief cornerstone that brings in the unity that must exist within the Church.

Another principle to remember is the Groom and the Bride analogy. This simply defines our future and our eternal relationship with our bridegroom, the LORD Jesus Christ.

There is the principle of the King of kings and the Royal Family of GOD; 1PE 2:5; 2:9; REV 1:6. This is something that describes our aristocracy as Royal Family.

So, if we are occupied with that great commission, not only did the LORD command us to go and make disciples or students of all the nations; and teach them about the Baptism of the Spirit. He also commanded us to teach them to observe the mystery doctrine of the Church-age. And reveal to them that the LORD is omnipresent and with them always, even to the end of the age. (times of the Gentiles).

Now, as noted this week in DEU 32:4, “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A GOD of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.”

Jesus Christ is the Rock. But what about HIS work? In DEU 32:4, “The Rock! His work is perfect.” Therefore, what can we truly understand concerning the Rock and His work? We know that the Rock refers to Jesus Christ and whatever HE does is perfect.

GOD created the Garden of Eden and it was created perfectly?

GOD also created the man, or Adam He was created perfectly.

GOD also created the woman for the man, and she was perfect for him.

Whatever GOD creates is perfect, it’s not restoration but creation. This means that the man was created first, and then the woman came from the man’s rib and they were both placed in a perfect environment as two perfect people.

Every time GOD does something, it is always done with perfection, righteousness, justice, but most of all, love.