WHO’S LAW ARE WE UNDER?
Growing up we were to live by the rules. We had rules at home which said; obey the rules! They could be anything from picking up your clothes, clean your plate, be home at a decent hour (of course we had to be old enough for that one), do your chores etc. etc.

At school the rules were also; obey the rules! They could be hand in your paper at the end of the day, do not run in the halls, no hitting one another on the play grounds and of course when you were in high school there were the dress codes.

In the community the rules were also; obey the rules or in this case the laws. No loitering, littering, cross only in the cross walk. When old enough to drive we were to obey the traffic laws. We all know what red, yellow and green mean, but do we obey them?

Rules, rules everywhere and no leniency anywhere! God set up the law in the Old Testament so the people would learn right from wrong. So they would understand that sin was wrong and to be obedient was good and right. God set up the law so we would know and understand human behavior in such a way that to be obedient to God would give them a better life. "To obey is better than sacrifice!" 1 Samuel 15:22b

"Thus says the Lord, learn not the way of the nations!" Jeremiah 10:2a In reading 1 Thessalonians 4 Paul is telling the people to learn how to live to please God. Paul says that we are to abstain from unchastity because God has not called us to uncleanness but holiness. If we disregard this, we are not disregarding man but God who gives us His Holy Spirit.

We are to teach our children to know God and to be able to differentiate between God and man’s laws. We are not to teach our children to disobey man’s law because Romans 13:1a says; "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities." That sounds a little ominous doesn’t it? A little more inclusive than we would like but in that same verse Paul tells us; "For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God." That sounds better, doesn’t it?

"Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of him who is in authority? Then do what is good and you will receive his approval." Romans 13:3 It is apparent to me that when we are obedient to God’s word and are teaching our children His statutes then God will use those in authority for our good. However, if we are doing wrong then we should be afraid.

I am concerned about what is being taught in our schools and the lengths that have been taken to keep the parents out of the decisions regarding the liberal handing out of condoms and not notifying the parent regarding abortions. However, if we are training our child up in the way he/she should go we need to put our trust in the Lord. His word is true and just! Mistakes happen but with God, we can live justly and do the right things.

Once the Vice Principal at the High School called me because Danny and Jennifer arrived late to school. He said; "Your son tells me he was late because his truck wouldn’t start!" I replied; "If Danny told you his truck wouldn’t start, then his truck wouldn’t start!" The VP said he was just checking because he felt I should know. I was a little angry that they would check up on Danny and Jennifer’s excuse when they were not children with social or disciplinary problems. They never called me again!

Parents need to know where their children are at all times. Parents need to let their children know where they are at all times. Children need to know they can trust their parents and in doing so, parents know they can trust their children. This is trusting in God! This is God’s law! Jane Ann