Tuesday, October 29, 2013

There are some things that Peter said that I would rather he would have left out.  Hard things to hear.
1 Peter 2:13-15  "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 evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.  For so is the will of God, that with well doing you may  put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:"

Stop at red lights.  Obey the speed limit.  Pay your taxes.  In other words, obey the law.  In this way people know that we live peaceful  and honorable lives, which is a testimony to Christ.

However.  However.  I am not a pacifist. Peter cut off an ear.  Even Jesus took a whip to the money changers in the temple.  I'm not advocating using a whip, but there is a time for protest.

In a gas station across from our Jr. High,  I asked a manager to put some magazines under the counter.   My concern was that they were inappropriate for kids who were coming over during their lunch hour.   The manager said, "No."  So I went home and  made a picket sign and started a small protest.  Within an hour the community heard what I had done, quietly agreed, and made themselves some signs. It grew so large that it ended up being news.  A friend in California called and said, "What is going on?  You are on National TV. "  Now it seems my protest was in vain--as porn is rampant and everywhere.

But that day, every establishment in our town that carried those magazines came down where I was picketing and begged me not to picket their stores.  "We've removed all the mags," they said.  "Our suppliers have already been notified not to bring them back." And all I had asked for was to put them under the counter!  I was amazed.  I didn't know you could peacefully protest and accomplish something like that.  I don't know if that fits in with what Peter told us. But knowing Peter, I don't think he meant for us to do wrong things against the will of God just because there is a law.  Peter certainly didn't.   He ended up getting crucified.  Follow the laws.  God's laws first.  I hope you don't get crucified.  



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