As our nation is going through political and social turmoil, it is important for us to go to the Bible and discover God’s views on these matters. One of the aspects of success in our human experience is in living in peace and respect of one another, but we cannot live in this manner unless we have healthy governance in every sphere of society. Last week, I wrote about this subject on Facebook. However, since many of my readers are not connected with me on Facebook, I would like to share these important concepts with you all and expound on some of those issues.
In general terms, the role of governance is the role oversight given to a person or a group people who have the responsibility of protecting and providing for those under their jurisdiction. There are different spheres of governance in society. In each sphere, there are those who lead and there are those who are subjects. Each person has a God-given responsibility to function according to the parameters that God has defined their job description to be. The scripture points out different spheres of government and the God-given role and function for each sphere.
According to 1828 Webster’s dictionary: GOVERNMENT means: Direction; regulation. These precepts will serve for the government of our conduct. 1. Control; restraint. Men are apt to neglect the government of their temper and passions.”
The most important sphere of government is self-government. This is at the heart of every healthy society. When we are willing to restrain ourselves and do what is right and equitable, we develop a building block to a healthy society.
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28
God created Adam and Eve in His own image and had a relationship with them. He also gave them authority over everything that He created. Adam in his perfect and sinless state was a self-governing individual and was able to walk with God and steward what God had entrusted to him. However, after the fall, Adam and Eve became subject to fear and pride, which led them to shame, guilt, and blame.
We see the lack of self-governance in our society. The darts of shame, guilt, and blame are flying all around us. People do not want to take responsibility for their own lives and neither do they seek to change. However, they have plenty of opinions for how others should change and behave better. When things go wrong, the pointing of fingers begin, but we hardly hear anyone taking the log out of their own eyes. This creates much chaos, confusion, and division.
Are we able to govern our tempers and passions and, at the same time, do what is right in the eyes of God?
I will continue with this subject in the next devotional.
