Many believers are defending him, as though it was all injustice that he went to jail. We can be sure there was some religious prejudice involved in the final decision in his sentencing, but the courts were not ultimately in control.
Let's not forget that God was still in control of all that happens to believer even if administered by unsaved people. We are told to follow the laws of our land, that is clear in the Word of God.
Romans 13:1-7 "1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil.
5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake.
6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor."
God is likely to bring a greater discipline on those who belong to Him, when they are a public figure and have the ability to influence others to do as they do. I am sorry that he broke the law, I am not sorry about his sentence, that too was in God's hands.
I am however pleased that Hovind seemed repentant, said he would not repeat it again, that it was bad judgement and that he may be released soon.
I remember when the Bakers were doing their foolishness with the theme parks, believers were up in arms at the length of Jim Bakers sentence when he was arrested, declaring that it was excessive because he was a Christian, as though God was not in control of that either.
When an influential Christian defies the principles of God in a public way, then God deals very harshly with them for their negative influence in the church body.
James 3:1 "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment."
Instead of whining about the sentence leveled against believers who have done wrong, we ought to be ashamed at the nasty taste it leaves in the mouths of unbelievers when those who call themselves by Christ's name smudge that name.
Remember too, if any of us go to jail unjustly, then we will know that it was God and that He had a purpose. Nothing escapes His notice or is out of His control. Even the Apostles went to jail unjustly, they sang praises in jail. We are free wherever we are if we are in Christ.
1 Peter 3:12-14 "12“FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS,
AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER,
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”
13Who is there to harm you if you prove zealous for what is good?
14 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION, AND DO NOT BE TROUBLED,
15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;
16 and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
17 For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
19 in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison,
20 who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water.
21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
22who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him."
No comments:
Post a Comment