Above The Law
In our country and perhaps in every country there is a rule of law. The law is a set of guidelines and rules that regulate the actions of people who are part of a particular country or community. The laws of a city or community most often apply to those outside the community who are just visiting. The laws are for our protection from one another and protection from us. Sometimes the law seems very restrictive and at other times it is totally logical. I may not like all of the laws of this land, but I have to learn to live by them or face the consequences.
There are those who think that they are above the law. In a small town sometimes the leaders and politicians can get by with stuff that the average citizen can’t. I knew of an official that was picked up and should have been cited for DUI, but was taken home by law enforcement because of the position he held. That is not how it should have played out. There are consequences for breaking the law. There is no one who is above the law. Even the people responsible for writing the law have to obey the law. The most powerful man in our country is the President and he has to obey the law.
Jeremiah was dealing with a king who thought he was above the law. This was not going to end well. Check this out…
22 It was the ninth month and the king was sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him. 23 Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. 24 The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. 25 Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. 26 Instead, the king commanded Jerahmeel, a son of the king, Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the Lord had hidden them. (Jeremiah 36:22-26 NIV)
When the law of the land doesn’t cover something, the Law of the Lord does. We were designed and created to love and serve one another. We were not wired to serve ourselves at the expense of others. Unfortunately that is who we become at times. I’m convinced that even those who think they are above the law of the land should remember that they are subject to the Law of the Lord. The Law of the Lord affects how I treat everyone from the lowest position to the highest position. I am never above the Law of the Lord. I would be wise to live like it. The Lord will discipline the law breakers and it is not necessarily a cake walk. I must learn to live within His boundaries or face the consequences of disobedience.
Pressing On!
Dwayne