April 8^th, 1961 “Obeying Authority” Late Mr. N. Daniel

Romans 13

We are instructed here to obey authority. Our Lord also did not interfere with the then existing government. He knew if there was anything wrong in the government, His kingdom would surely overthrow it. In 400 years, the corrupt Roman Government was thrown down and Christian men had to take up the government of the land. When spiritual standards are maintained, false standards will be thrown down. So we must not start with fighting the government. The government must run or maintain order. The government may try to do it by fair means or foul. We have to fight, not the government but human nature. Jesus attacked human nature by replacing it with His divine nature. Christ did not encourage refusal of paying tribute. But He was sowing seeds which would overthrow the corrupt Roman kingdom and the corrupt Jewish society. In India if you scrutinize the mission fields, there are few men of God. Men who use aggressive means to gain the highest places because of their being converts to Christianity remain in our missions. Nothing good comes out of them. They do not believe the Word of God. If you tell them that honesty is the best policy, they do not believe it. They will tell you that hypocrisy will pay best. Thus truly righteous people cannot continue in the mission. Where is then hope for the Indian church when things are in this state?

Jesus knew that the Word He was teaching would bring a revolution. When we begin to obey and to teach the truth, there will be a revolution. The gospel must be given to people. A Saviour has died for sinners. You cannot do good without giving the gospel.

Yielding to our relatives and pleasing them at the expense of our spiritual life is not love. If we are burdened for the church, we must start a movement that will produce members who will love the Lord and believe the gospel. The Lord is sowing into your heart, the true principles of life. I have relatives who did not want me to talk about conversion. Now they are in trouble. Their children are grown up and they are unable to control them.

Owe no man anything, but love. It is very difficult to reach the level of our Master but He will give us grace. Moses was not discouraged by the great task before him. He believed in Him whom he saw in the bush – the Great I Am. Pray for your neighbours, your supervisors and your colleagues or else the devil will use them against you. Do not be afraid of big officers. When an opportunity comes, flash the light you have on them. Let us grow in that divine nature which will bring great upheavals causing false religion and governments to crumble before Jesus Christ.