Be A Good Citizen, & Righteously Represent Jesus
Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, (4) not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.’ (Philippians 2:3-4); ‘Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.’ (Romans 14:19)
I am not a fan of government overreach. Freedom is when one decides the best course of action to take for one’s self and one’s family; to decide what is best for their interests and property, with minimal outside interference from the confines of government. One’s freedom should not intrude on another person or property. The ‘common good’, or government (why governments are set up), should be narrowly defined. What I do on my property is my business, as my neighbor’s property and what is done on it is his (or hers).
I am an advocate of minimal permitting of local governments. Permits should be based on the question, ‘what is the impact this action going to be on others in the community?’ I can understand building permits and building codes; one does not want a poorly-built home to come apart in a hurricane and rip through another’s home. The idea of inspectors to verify buildings are safe to a community standard are good, but it should not prevent someone from actually building a home, garage, shed, or some other structure on one’s property. It should not be so much ‘permission’ as much as it should be ‘verification to standards’.
There are also things I find that should never require permits. One should not have to get a fishing license, for example. For the community good, there should be regulations on how many fish can be caught, the type, the size, etc. But I shouldn’t need permission to go catch a fish. If my water heater goes out, I should not need to get a permit to replace it when it goes bad. If I decide I need a tree or two cut down in my yard, especially if I believe they are a potential hazard to my home, I should not have to beg permission from the local government to cut down said trees. An inspection to verify an adherence to safety, I can agree to, but I believe that something of this nature should not require asking for permission.
Nevertheless, I also want to be a good citizen and a better representative of our Lord Jesus. While there are times where disobedience to overly authoritative edicts is Righteous and justified, sometimes the Lord and all involved are better served by following the rules laid down by man. While a permit costs money that one can argue shouldn’t be necessary, it is better in the long run to go and procure the permit so the work can be done legitimately and legally within the confines of the law of the land.
The example set in doing so is important when representing Christ. Jesus Himself followed the law; he paid taxes and any fees requested of Him. He often clashed with the Jewish authorities but typically followed the rules, up until they contradicted His Father’s Word. Jesus did as Paul implores the Romans and the Philippians to do, act to promote peace and the interests of others.
When we act in contradiction to the law, we are breaking the law. People may break laws that are unjust; Rosa Parks refusing to ride in the back of the bus was Righteous disobedience, for example. However, there are laws that, while perhaps are unjust are not to level of the need to disobey them, or would be detrimental to a group or society as a whole.
No one likes taxes, but there is a need for them to pay for things that are the common good. Without taxes, there would be no public roads or schools, fire or police departments. The amount and types of taxes may be unjust to one person – why do retired people have to pay school taxes? – but to another, it is beneficial to another it is a tax that is very much needed, like a parent with a young child who requires education to become a productive citizen.
In my own selfishness and perhaps, in a somewhat conceited frame of mind, I can argue and perhaps be correct on some permitting by a local government is not needed or is wrong for me. But another person may need the government to intervene to ensure any work is done properly and performed to completion. So, it may be a rule is in place, not for me, but for others.
It is also acting in the example of Jesus; Jesus had Peter go catch the fish with the coins in its mouth, to pay their taxes. It may not have been necessary for Jesus to pay the tax, but He did so to keep the peace with the Romans, and to be an example of those who always tried to avoid paying their taxes. It is certainly up to each of us to use the legal means available to take approved deductions, but it would not be a Righteous example to neglect filing a 1040 on 15 April every year, to skip out entirely on the process.
Likewise, I may not like getting a permit to cut trees down that I believe are a potential danger to my home. It is possible that I could hire someone who is sketchy and would cut the trees down without the permit, but that presents a question of integrity on my part. As a representative of Christ, would that be proper of me to do that? As an Elder of my Church, I have to be accountable not only to Jesus, but to others who I am an example to. Breaking a law such as this is not worth the destruction of trust others have in me, and in the body of Christ I represent.
There is a fine line between Righteous disobedience and the need for reluctant obedience. If breaking a law edifies and glorifies God by bringing to light an unjust ruling or to correct an unrighteous action, it is proper to disobey it. On the other hand, should breaking the law hinder the Spirit and does not give Jesus any glory at all, then one must follow the law. As in all actions, implore the Holy Spirit to guide you to best glorify him and protect yourself.
