As the Passover and Days of Unleavened Bread get closer, we
seek to examine ourselves in preparation for reconfirming our
commitment to God’s working in us.
God’s law is fundamental to self-examination, but what is the
state of law in America today? Writer Victor Davis Hanson
addresses this question in article published in National Review
Online (http://www.nationalreview.com/article/446014/).
In the article, he points out:
•A federal law states that the president can by
proclamation “suspend the entry of all aliens or any
class of aliens as immigrants or nonimmigrants, or
impose on the entry of aliens any restrictions he may
deem to be appropriate.” Yet a federal judge ruled
that President Trump cannot do what the law allows
in temporarily suspending immigration from
countries previously singled out by the Obama
administration for their laxity in vetting their
emigrants.
• Some 500 “sanctuary” cities and counties have
decided for political reasons that federal immigration
law does not fully apply within their jurisdictions.
They have done so with impunity, believing that
illegal immigration is a winning political issue given
changing demography. In a way, they have already
legally seceded from the union and provided other
cities with a model of how to ignore any federal law
they do not like.
• There is a federal law that forbids the IRS from
unfairly targeting private groups or individuals on the
basis of their politics. Lois Lerner, an IRS director,
did just that but faced no legal consequences.
• There are statutes that prevent federal intelligence
and investigatory agencies from leaking classified
documents. No matter. For the last six months, the
media have trafficked in reports that Trump is under
some sort of investigation by government agencies
for allegedly colluding with the Russians. That
narrative is usually based on information from
“unnamed sources” affiliated with the FBI, NSA, or
CIA. No one has been punished for such leaking.
• The logic seems also to be that we need only follow
the laws that we like — and assume that law
enforcement must make the necessary adjustments.
In light of this pattern should we be surprised that Christ said,
“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will
grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).
Mr. Hanson lays out for us the outcome of lawlessness. “The
same thing happens when the law goes on a vacation. Rules
are unenforced or politicized. Citizens quickly lose faith in the
legal system. Anarchy follows — ensuring that there can be
neither prosperity nor security. The United States is
descending into such an abyss, as politics now seem to govern
whether existing laws are enforced.”
The bottom line for us as Christians is that God’s law always
has and always will apply. In fact, it is the standard by which
must evaluate ourselves.
We made a commitment at baptism to live by every word that
proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). It doesn’t
matter whether we like the law or not. All of God’s laws are
always applicable.
As we prepare to participate in Passover and the Days of
Unleavened Bread, we renew our dedication to keeping God’s
law. For God’s people, law never takes a holiday.
Have a pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
Showing posts with label Law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Law. Show all posts
Friday, March 24, 2017
Friday, February 3, 2017
When Does a Baby's Life Begin? God Knows.
As the Sabbath approaches, I thought it worthwhile to
consider two marches held in Washington the first full week
of the new U.S. president’s term.
In looking at the two marches, one can see an immediate
contrast between those involved in the Women’s March on
Washington and the March for Life. In examining the two
groups there could be no more vivid example of the cultural
divide that plagues our country in 2017.
The women’s march on January 21 was characterized by
vulgarity, coarse language, and the primary goal of the
gathering was to ensure that abortion on demand continues to
be available. It is sad to see ladies taking pride in being called
“nasty” women and heartily endorsing the killing of potential
children of God before they have a chance at life.
In contrast, we have another group of people who gathered to
promote the right of the unborn to life. The demeanor of the
participants in the January 28th march was much more
positive. Interestingly, many people gathered for the pro-life
event were motivated by God’s word on the subject. The view
of many among them is that God is the giver of life and He
alone has the right to give or take life.
Sadly, the marches are over but the cultural war will continue.
But if the Bible were the guide there would be no abortions
and Roe vs. Wade would be superseded by God’s truth on the
matter.
One great question that arises out of this controversy is,
“When does life begin?” Consider the example of Jesus Christ
in this regard.
Consider that the one we know as Jesus Christ dwelled in
heaven throughout eternity as John 1 makes clear.
But it was God’s plan to send a Savior in the likeness of men
in order to save man from the penalty of sin. God’s plan to
send a Savior was instituted immediately after the sin of Adam
and Eve (Genesis 3:15).
At the right time in His great plan of salvation, God sent His
son, in the likeness of flesh, to redeem mankind of the death
penalty because of sin. “But when the fullness of the time had
come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under
the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we
might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
The Apostle Paul tells us that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was
an eternal being inhabiting eternity with God the Father. But
the one who became the Son of God was willing to let go of
being God in order to enter human realm (Philippians 2:6-7).
So, we find that Jesus Christ had eternal life. Yet He was
willing to place His very existence in the hands of the Father
to bring about a transference from being at the Father’s right
hand to life in the womb of Mary.
How did Jesus’ life begin in Mary’s womb? Luke 1:34-35
explains how this came about, “Then Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel
answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon
you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;
therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called
the Son of God.”
The scriptures equate the Holy Spirit with the power of God,
and the power of God with the Holy Spirit. It is through God’s
power that the life of Jesus Christ began in the womb of Mary.
Mary supplied the ovum and God supplied the rest. What God
began in the womb of Mary was not some glob of tissue, but
the life of the one who would become the Savior of the world.
If we look to the example of Jesus Christ’s, we see His life
began in the womb. The womb is where all human life begins
as well, at conception.
Sadly, at this time, there is a controversy, a cultural divide
over when life begins. Someday, there will be no marches in
Washington, D.C. But mankind will come to know that life
begins at conception and every baby is a potential member of
the family of God.
Gary Smith
consider two marches held in Washington the first full week
of the new U.S. president’s term.
In looking at the two marches, one can see an immediate
contrast between those involved in the Women’s March on
Washington and the March for Life. In examining the two
groups there could be no more vivid example of the cultural
divide that plagues our country in 2017.
The women’s march on January 21 was characterized by
vulgarity, coarse language, and the primary goal of the
gathering was to ensure that abortion on demand continues to
be available. It is sad to see ladies taking pride in being called
“nasty” women and heartily endorsing the killing of potential
children of God before they have a chance at life.
In contrast, we have another group of people who gathered to
promote the right of the unborn to life. The demeanor of the
participants in the January 28th march was much more
positive. Interestingly, many people gathered for the pro-life
event were motivated by God’s word on the subject. The view
of many among them is that God is the giver of life and He
alone has the right to give or take life.
Sadly, the marches are over but the cultural war will continue.
But if the Bible were the guide there would be no abortions
and Roe vs. Wade would be superseded by God’s truth on the
matter.
One great question that arises out of this controversy is,
“When does life begin?” Consider the example of Jesus Christ
in this regard.
Consider that the one we know as Jesus Christ dwelled in
heaven throughout eternity as John 1 makes clear.
But it was God’s plan to send a Savior in the likeness of men
in order to save man from the penalty of sin. God’s plan to
send a Savior was instituted immediately after the sin of Adam
and Eve (Genesis 3:15).
At the right time in His great plan of salvation, God sent His
son, in the likeness of flesh, to redeem mankind of the death
penalty because of sin. “But when the fullness of the time had
come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under
the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we
might receive the adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5).
The Apostle Paul tells us that the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was
an eternal being inhabiting eternity with God the Father. But
the one who became the Son of God was willing to let go of
being God in order to enter human realm (Philippians 2:6-7).
So, we find that Jesus Christ had eternal life. Yet He was
willing to place His very existence in the hands of the Father
to bring about a transference from being at the Father’s right
hand to life in the womb of Mary.
How did Jesus’ life begin in Mary’s womb? Luke 1:34-35
explains how this came about, “Then Mary said to the angel,
“How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel
answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon
you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;
therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called
the Son of God.”
The scriptures equate the Holy Spirit with the power of God,
and the power of God with the Holy Spirit. It is through God’s
power that the life of Jesus Christ began in the womb of Mary.
Mary supplied the ovum and God supplied the rest. What God
began in the womb of Mary was not some glob of tissue, but
the life of the one who would become the Savior of the world.
If we look to the example of Jesus Christ’s, we see His life
began in the womb. The womb is where all human life begins
as well, at conception.
Sadly, at this time, there is a controversy, a cultural divide
over when life begins. Someday, there will be no marches in
Washington, D.C. But mankind will come to know that life
begins at conception and every baby is a potential member of
the family of God.
Gary Smith
Friday, November 25, 2016
Ignorance Of The Law Is No Excuse
Most of us have heard the phrase “ignorance of the law is no
excuse” at one time or another. I never really thought about
the phrase much until I began reading, “By The People” by
Charles Murray. In light of what Mr. Murray has to say on
this subject, I would like to share some considerations in this
Sabbath Thought.
Mr. Murray writes, “For centuries, common law recognized
two requirements for a criminal act: a guilty act and a guilty
mind…. You not only had to do something wrong, you had to
be aware you were doing something wrong. But the law also
held that ignorance of the law is no defense. How could these
two principles be reconciled? Because there weren’t many
laws. Most of the laws that did exist prohibited acts that were
obviously wrong in themselves, such as murder, rape, and
theft. Other laws prohibited things the state decided to prohibit
that were not wrong in themselves (for example, sumptuary
laws), but these were of a manageable number and were part
of daily life” (pp. 32-33).
Mr. Murray is saying in essence there was a time in America
where the laws were so few in number that “ignorance of the
law was (truly) no excuse.”
Today, we often are unaware we have broken a law. He points
out, “Through the first half of the nineteenth century, virtually
all criminal law was defined and prosecuted by the states with
fewer than a score of crimes defined by the federal
government (for example, treason or bribery of federal
officials). By World War 1, the number of federal laws had
reached the 500s. As of the most recent count, in 2007, the
federal code numbered about 4,450 crimes. We have seen an
increase of about 50 percent just since 1980” (p. 33).
Consider that “the tax code, as of 2013 consisted of four
million words—about five times the length of the King James
Bible. It is riddled with ambiguities and special provisions.
The IRS can almost always find something wrong if agents
look hard enough, no matter what tax preparation software
you used and no matter how faithfully you tried to do the right
thing” (p. 38).
The problem is that we are overwhelmed with thousands of
laws and if someone wanted to push the matter, we are in
violation on a number of fronts and don’t even know of our
non-compliance.
We have reached the point in time where ignorance of the law
is all too common. There are just too many laws to keep up
with.
The good news is that there are laws on the books that were
established by a mind far beyond that of human beings. God in
His wisdom established a law code of Ten Commandments.
His laws were applicable in the Garden of Eden and will be
applicable to the end of time.
The Bible, as a whole, is an expansion on the meaning and
application of the Ten Commandments.
God put His law in one book making it a ready resource for all
mankind.
How good it will be when man realizes the futility of trying to
put more and more laws into effect and accepts the simple
approach to law given by God. We get an inkling of what is to
come in Isaiah 2:3, "Many people shall come and say, "Come,
and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of
the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall
walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
As the Bible becomes the standard for the entire earth, then it
can truly be said, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
Gary Smith
excuse” at one time or another. I never really thought about
the phrase much until I began reading, “By The People” by
Charles Murray. In light of what Mr. Murray has to say on
this subject, I would like to share some considerations in this
Sabbath Thought.
Mr. Murray writes, “For centuries, common law recognized
two requirements for a criminal act: a guilty act and a guilty
mind…. You not only had to do something wrong, you had to
be aware you were doing something wrong. But the law also
held that ignorance of the law is no defense. How could these
two principles be reconciled? Because there weren’t many
laws. Most of the laws that did exist prohibited acts that were
obviously wrong in themselves, such as murder, rape, and
theft. Other laws prohibited things the state decided to prohibit
that were not wrong in themselves (for example, sumptuary
laws), but these were of a manageable number and were part
of daily life” (pp. 32-33).
Mr. Murray is saying in essence there was a time in America
where the laws were so few in number that “ignorance of the
law was (truly) no excuse.”
Today, we often are unaware we have broken a law. He points
out, “Through the first half of the nineteenth century, virtually
all criminal law was defined and prosecuted by the states with
fewer than a score of crimes defined by the federal
government (for example, treason or bribery of federal
officials). By World War 1, the number of federal laws had
reached the 500s. As of the most recent count, in 2007, the
federal code numbered about 4,450 crimes. We have seen an
increase of about 50 percent just since 1980” (p. 33).
Consider that “the tax code, as of 2013 consisted of four
million words—about five times the length of the King James
Bible. It is riddled with ambiguities and special provisions.
The IRS can almost always find something wrong if agents
look hard enough, no matter what tax preparation software
you used and no matter how faithfully you tried to do the right
thing” (p. 38).
The problem is that we are overwhelmed with thousands of
laws and if someone wanted to push the matter, we are in
violation on a number of fronts and don’t even know of our
non-compliance.
We have reached the point in time where ignorance of the law
is all too common. There are just too many laws to keep up
with.
The good news is that there are laws on the books that were
established by a mind far beyond that of human beings. God in
His wisdom established a law code of Ten Commandments.
His laws were applicable in the Garden of Eden and will be
applicable to the end of time.
The Bible, as a whole, is an expansion on the meaning and
application of the Ten Commandments.
God put His law in one book making it a ready resource for all
mankind.
How good it will be when man realizes the futility of trying to
put more and more laws into effect and accepts the simple
approach to law given by God. We get an inkling of what is to
come in Isaiah 2:3, "Many people shall come and say, "Come,
and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of
the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall
walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and
the word of the Lord from Jerusalem."
As the Bible becomes the standard for the entire earth, then it
can truly be said, “Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
Gary Smith
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