JUDGES, KINGS,PRIESTS, AND ORDINARY PEOPLE (Deuteronomy 16-18, 26)

JUDGES, KINGS,PRIESTS, AND ORDINARY PEOPLE (Deuteronomy 16-18, 26)

Christians too often undervalue the importance of government to the peace, safety, and progress of society. Without human government, even with all its shortcomings, society would be in shambles, and no nation could adequately improve or defend itself. “The powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom. 13:1) doesn’t mean that God is to blame for the appointment or election of each individual public official or the decisions they make once they’re in office. It means that the authority for government comes from God and that those who serve in public offices are ministers of the Lord and accountable to Him (v. 4). “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40) applies not only to the public worship services of the church but also the public service of civic officials. God’s people are commanded to pray for those in authority (1 Tim. 2:1–6), but too often we’re guilty of criticizing them instead of interceding for them. - WARREN WIERSBE  

Leadership in the local church must be given only to those who are qualified (Acts 6:1–7; 1 Tim. 3; Titus 1:5–9). “Everything rises or falls with leadership,” says Dr. Lee Roberson, and he is right. How tragic it is when churches choose unqualified and untried people to “fill” offices instead of to “use” those offices for the building of the church and the glory of God (1 Tim. 3:10). In the leadership of the local church, spiritual character is far more important than a person’s popularity, personality, talent, or occupation. - WARREN WIERSBE  

But the church today is equally guilty of unbelief. When church leaders adopt the methods and measurements of the world, then the church has taken a giant step toward becoming like the world and losing its divine distinctives. Instead of trusting the Word of God and prayer (Acts 6:4), we depend on following the world’s wisdom, imitating the world’s methods, and catering to the world’s appetites, giving people what they want instead of what they need. Believers today need to take to heart God’s reminder to Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who has separated you from the peoples” (Lev. 20:24, NKJV). - WARREN WIERSBE