As we look at how to apply God’s Word to our lives, the next thing we must understand is that God has established three systems through which He works, the family, the Church, and human government. It is important to remember that in each of these systems He still maintains complete control and has establish clear limits for each one. We must never allow any system to become an entity independent of God’s sovereign control.
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. Isaiah 9:6-7
For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. Deuteronomy 10:17-20
I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:13-16
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. Mark 1:14-15
Jesus Christ has come to establish His kingdom. He rules supreme over all governments, families, and churches. He alone defines them, and He alone sets the boundaries of their authority. No system can operate in its own accord. All must be under His authority.
In the weeks to come we will look into the details of God creating and ordering each individual system. For now we want to see that each system is ordained, maintained, and ordered by God. As we dive into each system we must never forget that we cannot allow a system to become a runaway institution in and of its self. We must always bring it back to God’s sovereign control.
Each system has been given a unique responsibility. Whenever we encounter a problem, one of our first questions needs to be, “Who did God ordain to have jurisdiction over this issue?” Many of our society’s issues stem from one system taking authority that God has given to another system. For example, Deuteronomy 6 and other passages clearly state that it is the job of parents to educate and disciple their children. However, we have looked to the government for education and the church for discipleship. The problem with uneducated, ungodly children is at its root a problem with God ordained systems failing to operate within their God ordained realm of responsibility.
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