Authorities and Friends

If we truly obey God and submit to His will we must obey and submit to earthly authority. God ordained authority and demands our obedience and submission to it. Ecclesiastes 7:19 strengthens the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city. The followings are discussed: Dealing With Injustice; Obeying Authorities, and Benefits of companionship

Dealing with Injustice: Injustice is found in all places and can bring about unexpected reactions in the society. Such reactions can be to express displeasure or put up a defence that can spoil interpersonal relationships. Injustice can also result in disobedience to the authority. Christians should respond to injustice with the scriptural principle; our reactions should promote justice, build relationships and help the authority realize faults and adjust.

Misplacement of justice has turned the world upside down, wickedness and iniquity are commonly seen where correct judgment and justice are expected (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17). Likewise immorality and evil are often discovered where righteousness and morality are expected. Willingness to satisfy selfish desires hinders justice even in an environment that promotes justice. We should rely on God and ask for His grace and wisdom to act rightly and do justice. Christians should not loose hope when justice is turned down, God is still in control and will bring wrongs to judgement. He will resolve all issues and overrule injustices. Those who receive God's offer of forgiveness and redemption will be given the grace to faithfully serve Him.

We can easily be discouraged as a result of oppression and injustice done to the poor by the rich and influential and think nothing is worth pursuing again on earth (Ecclesiastes 4:1-6). Instead of being overwhelmed and loosing interest in making progress we should pursue life of inner peace and contentment which can give hope, joy and happiness.

Obeying Authority: God commanded people to obey authorities. Our obedience to the authority is to recognise and honour God as the Source of authority (Ecclesiastes 8:1-5). Irrespective of the injustice and oppression in the society we must recognise and obey the authority. But we can disregard the authority if it makes it difficult or impossible to do the will of God. In such a situation we need to apply God's wisdom and follow righteous living. Obedience to human authority is obedience to God provided it is possible to pursue godly and righteous living. Our testimony as Christians will be judged based on obedience to lawgivers. All people appointed, elected or employed to leadership positions must be recognized, respected and honoured. God demands our submission to the authority (Romans 13).

God has the ultimate authority and will bring all things to His divine judgement (Ecclesiastes 8:11-13). In the society today there is growing leniency toward evil and minor punishment is served to brutal crime. This has caused widespread moral breakdown. We should not be discouraged, we should put trust in God and have it in mind that He will judge the evil and condemn the wicked in due time. Those who are saved must received the divine mandate to share God's word and lead others to Him.

Benefits of Companionship: A meaningful and purposeful life is a life shared with others (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). It is not profitable for a person to live a life that offers no benefits to anyone. Life is well lived if others are helped and supported; hardworking and lonely life with huge success amounts to nothing if it doesn't touch lives of others in such a way to receive love and gratitude.

For greater success and prosperity people should go beyond lonely and self-serving lives to lives shared with others. Life that embraces partnership makes it possible to share skills and embark on a task for greater returns. Also, the life shared with others hastens recovery when difficulty arises. As Christians, companionship makes it easier to pray for one another and provides greater chance of victory over discouragement, temptation and oppression. Lesson texts: Ecclesiastes 3:16-17; 4:1-12; 8:1-5;11-13).