How Will They Know?
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
Every year at Christmas we read this verse and every year I wonder about the government being on the shoulder of Jesus Christ. There is something very appealing about a Head of government who is a Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of peace!
When the Bible says something is so, then it is so. God and His Word are true all the time.
Right now, it does not seem that Jesus is the Head of the U.S. government, but that does not change the fact that, from God’s perspective, He is the Head.
It seems that some teaching is confused about the rule of Christ in the world. I recently read a definition of the Kingdom of God, by a Christian, as being, “God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule and blessing.” I have just started reading the book so I do not know exactly what this author means. It looks as though she is saying that only God’s people are under God’s rule and authority.
Is she saying that my house is in God’s kingdom but not the home of my unsaved neighbor? I am subject to God’s judgment as His child, but my unsaved neighbor does not have to worry about God’s judgment?
Jesus is Lord of all. (Acts 10:36; Romans 10:12)
Joseph was told by an angel that Mary was carrying a baby conceived of the Holy Spirit and that he was to name Him “Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
Many Christians seem to think that it is wrong to speak to the world about sin. It is especially important to some to proclaim only the love of God and never the judgment of God.
The truth of the scriptures is that the judgment of God is just as sure as the love of God and so, not to speak of it, is not to love our neighbors. Too many of us think that God’s law only applies to God’s people.
Please consider these verses:
Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God. Deuteronomy 8:20
The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will. Proverbs 21:1 (Consider too, Isaiah 17:13 and Luke 3:17)
The government is already on the shoulder of Jesus. God has and will judge every person of every age. In His kindness the Mighty God and Prince of Peace has sent His Son, Jesus, to take the punishment we deserve for our own sin.
Many of us will celebrate this birth with people who have no faith or understanding of these truths. How will they know if we do not tell them?
You love them when you do not allow them to think that God’s law is only for Christians.