September 30, 2014

LIVING AS IF WE HAVE AUTHORITY...


The Supreme Court is currently setting its agenda for the next year, as to the cases it will hear.  Many of the pundits believe that it will consider a case on homosexual marriage and its status under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution. 

The foundational document's section known as the "Full Faith and Credit Clause" speaks to the reciprocity which is to take place between states within the United States as it pertains public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.  More clearly, this is the article used to allow ones order of protection or marriage certificate to be transferred from state to state.  Without this, one legally recognized marriage or court proceeding would have not standing, that is would not be recognized in another state.  Article IV, Section 1 states, "Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. And the Congress may by general laws prescribe the manner in which such acts, records, and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof."  So, if the Supreme Court in setting its agenda decides to hear a case on homosexual marriage and its status under the Full Faith and Credit Clause, it could make a decision that must be follow by all states and territories of the United States.   

Why is this case?  It is so because the Supreme Court of the United States of America has authority to interpret the law.  Because of our system of government, the court has the right to rule over the laws of the United States.

Understanding the principle of authority and sovereignty is important for the Christian.  For you see, we serve a God who rightly has sovereignty over all for it is His creation.  Genesis 1:1 declares, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”  It may be easy to agree to this reality but as Christian must also understand that God invites us to be coregents with Him over His creation.  Over and over again, He beckons His people to fulfill this role, to exercise dominion and spread His name among His creation.

Genesis 1:26, 28
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth…And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

Psalm 8:6
“You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet…”

Psalms 24:1
“The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein…”

Genesis 8:16-17
“Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh—birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth—that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.”

Genesis 9:1, 7
“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.  And you, be fruitful and multiply, increase greatly on the earth and multiply in it.”

Genesis 26:4
“I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed…”

Exodus 1:7
“But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly; they multiplied and grew exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them.”

Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”

Mark16:15
“And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” 

Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

II Corinthians 2:14

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.”

As Christian, we also believe that God, the rightly sovereign King will on day rule over His creation.  Revelations 7:9-10, gives one an insight into the future when it declares that… “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes…”

So what?  How is this relevant to the Christian life?  It is pertinent and significant for it is a status given to each Christian and each Christian ought to live as such.  Christian, do you see the task given to us?  Do you desire to fulfill the task given?  Do you undertake this task and each moment of life as one given authority?

Brother and sisters let us live as if we are coregents… as those with rightful authority over all of creation.