08/25/21 LEADERSHIP MATTERS

08/25/21 LEADERSHIP MATTERS

Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.

This is to be understood, "When the lawful, just person leads the people." We are not likely to see a spiritually righteous person as national leader, until Jesus returns, but there are those who are more committed to lead by observing civil and national law than other people.'

Remember, God's directive for national leadership and service is, PROTECT THE RIGHTEOUS AND PUNISH THE WICKED. Any leadership that does not protect the lawful in the community and does not punish the lawless in the community is a cause of grief to that society.

We are having the misfortune of seeing a national leadership that is causing the entire world more grief than we have seen in our lifetime because he (it as a group) has rejected lawful order, justice

Another point to consider is the fact that this passage is more appropriate and applicable to a society that is aware of and submissive to law and order, to justice. The less a society is committed to lawfulness and justice, the less they want to have leadership, which meets the Biblical standard for leadership.

God's word bears witness to the historical reality of this principle and promises the future fulfillment of this principle when Jesus returns to rule and reign.

Spiritually, those who believe in and follow Jesus already know what it is like to be in the kingdom of God, though we are living in a present evil world.

John 14:27
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:32-33
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Romans 14:17
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Galatians 1:3-4
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

Philippians 4:6-9
6 Be careful for nothing (don't be anxious); but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

2 Timothy 3:12-17
12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

2 Thessalonians 3:16
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

Hebrews 13:20-21
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.