Cancel Culture At It's Most Extreme

Standing Firm: Why We Must Never Worship the State

The news today is filled with talk of government overreach, mandates, and the increasing pressure to conform. For those with an ear to hear, these discussions echo ancient warnings, particularly those found in the Bible. One passage that stands out is Revelation 13:16-17:

"Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name."

This isn't just about a literal mark; it's a powerful symbol of a system that seeks total control, coercing the conscience and demanding ultimate allegiance. It describes a government so tyrannical that it dictates who can participate in society based on their submission to its authority.

The Danger of State Worship

When a government demands conformity to the point of controlling basic necessities like buying and selling, it crosses a line. It attempts to usurp the place of God in our lives. This isn't merely about political disagreement; it's about the very essence of worship. If our ability to live, work, and thrive is contingent upon pledging allegiance to a human system rather than to God, we are entering dangerous territory.

History is replete with examples of regimes that demanded absolute loyalty, punishing those who dared to hold a higher allegiance. From the Roman Empire's demand for emperor worship to totalitarian states of the 20th century, the pattern is clear: tyrannical governments seek to replace God with themselves, compelling state worship. They want not just your obedience, but your soul.

Obedience to God Alone

The Bible consistently teaches that our ultimate loyalty belongs to God, not to any human institution.

• Acts 5:29 declares, "We must obey God rather than men." This is a foundational principle. When human laws or demands directly contradict God's commands, our duty is clear.

• Romans 13:1 does tell us to "be subject to the governing authorities." However, this submission is always understood within the context of God's supreme authority. As soon as the state demands something that violates God's law or requires us to betray our conscience, our higher allegiance kicks in.

• Daniel 3 provides a vivid illustration. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image, even under threat of death in a fiery furnace. Their response? "If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up."

  
  

This wasn't defiance for defiance's sake, but a resolute refusal to compromise their faith.

The Freedom God Gives

True freedom is not found in the absence of rules, but in obedience to God. When we are bound to Him, we are liberated from the fear of man and the demands of oppressive systems.

• Galatians 5:1 proclaims, "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." This freedom is spiritual, but it has profound implications for how we interact with earthly powers. It means our conscience is captive to Christ alone.

• Psalm 118:6 reminds us, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" When our trust is in God, the threats of earthly rulers lose their power.

Standing Firm in a Shifting World

As we observe the world around us, it's crucial to cultivate discernment. We must be vigilant against any system – whether political, economic, or social – that seeks to control our thoughts, beliefs, or actions in ways that contradict God's Word.

This doesn't mean we are to be anarchists or constantly rebellious. It means we are to be discerning citizens of two kingdoms: the earthly and the heavenly. When the demands of the earthly kingdom clash with the laws of the heavenly, our allegiance to Christ must always take precedence.

Let us pray for wisdom, courage, and discernment to stand firm, obeying God rather than men, and never allowing any earthly power to coerce our conscience or demand the worship due only to our Creator. Our freedom in Christ is too precious to surrender.

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