As you can see this bothered me…
You can see his sign and the cross clearly…
Mr. Salman should be responding to the civil charges with submission and moving to file the proper forms and doing what is necessary to comply with the zoning laws. He should also be holding prayer meetings to pray for the officials in Phoenix. The Christian’s responsibility does not end with mere obedience to government authority. Paul actually tells us to pray for those in authority—and includes a specific reason. He states, “I EXHORT therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (I Tim. 2:1-2).
The bible is very clear on this issue. The apostles were beaten many times for obeying God before the civil law. But they accepted the civil law, took the punishment. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore and went back to God’s work with respect for the rulers.
Look what it says in God’s word. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour”, Romans 13:1-7
There is a lot there to be considering when you decide to go against the government that God has placed or allowed to rule. The scriptures leave no question that all people (“every soul”)—including Christians—are subject to the “higher powers,” because they are “ordained of God.” To resist them, God says, is to “resist…God.” This is pretty serious isn’t it? It looks to me like this man in Phoenix could be resisting God! At the very least he is rebellious and not showing himself separate from the world as a member of God’s Kingdom.
When Christ was on trial for His life before Pontius Pilate, He clarified the real source of Pilate’s authority over the outcome of the trial. Notice: “Then said Pilate unto Him, Speak You not unto me? Know You not that I have power to crucify You, and have power to release You? Jesus answered, You could have no power at all against Me, except it were given you from above: therefore he that delivered Me unto you has the greater sin” (John 19:10-11).
Men or women seem to come into power in lots of different ways, including nepotism, bribery, revolution, deceit, or possibly murder. If they have obtained the office then God has allowed them to hold the power for His will and His overall plan for the universe. His plan includes you and me.
The bible say’s more as to how we are to treat them. “Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. Titus 3:1-2. Peter also gave important instruction about what God expects of Christians in their responsibility toward civil governments. He wrote, “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. For so is the will of God, that with welldoing you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men…Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king” (I Pet. 2:13-15, 17).
So there we have it! “Submit yourselves”—this is what we should do. This is what the preacher in Arizona should do. The term, “for the Lord’s sake,” clarifies that it is God who wishes us to submit to “every ordinance” of men’s governments. Therefore Mr. Salman should submit to the government and be a good Christian in order to let his light shine.
We all need to submit ourselves to all of the ordinances of men as though we were directly obeying God Himself—because that is exactly what we are doing when we obey men’s laws. We should not be breaking men’s laws and then trying to assert that you are in some way actually serving God and are discriminated against.
Also, when courts make final rulings, on any matter, they are to be obeyed. To defy them is sin—and either a civil or criminal offense! No one should ever let their mind or emotions fool you into endless excuses for why it is not really wrong!
Ok, unless I find out something different regarding this issue, you know where I stand.
“The Tubthumper”
