Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Who is the master of your conscience? Or, who gets to define for you what is right and what is wrong? Who has the authority to tell you what you must believe to be true?
If you could answer those questions in my hearing, you’d be telling me who your god is. And, let’s not get it twisted, as the kids say: If you named a human person, even one in your church, that human is your god.
If you answered those questions with Me, Myself, and I, then we also know who your god really is.
One of the outgrowths of the Bible’s teaching about our conscience is this, that no one has the right to force you to violate yours. No one can force you to confess “truths” that you don’t really believe.
As a teacher within a Christian congregation, my job is simply to declare what I think the Scriptures have said. Once I’ve done that, it’s between you and the Lord, what you actually choose to believe. If you think I’ve gone off the rails, and am teaching contrary to the Bible, you’re free to go with your own understanding. I have no authority to kick you out of the kingdom of Christ if you disagree with me.
Not only are you free to go with your understanding, but what would the option be? Torture? As the old saying goes, “A man convinced against his will, remains unconverted still.”
If you read through all the narrative portions of the Bible (the stories, the history) you will find numerous times, too many to recount even in a much longer article than this one, when less powerful people, the subordinates, questioned the wisdom, words, or actions of more powerful people. This includes sons questioning fathers; subjects questioning kings; wives questioning husbands; and even disciples questioning the Lord Jesus. As you read these, watch what happens.
You can tell the wisdom, righteousness, and maturity of leaders by how they react when their leadership is questioned. Good leaders react with patience and take the time to explain themselves. Bad leaders say, basically, “Shut up! I’m in charge, here!”
One of the things that is plaguing us as a society is focused on this concept, but in the wrong direction. You’re no longer allowed to maintain your own opinion, about anything. Further, no one wants to hear about how much you’ve read about the topic at hand. If you don’t toe the line, you’re wrong, and we will cancel you.
Turning this around means, as it usually does, being the change you’d like to see. Model it. When people question your own words and actions, don’t get defensive. Act like all the heroes of the Bible, in patience, and be willing to make your case in a logical, reasonable manner. Don’t simply demand that your word be accepted as unquestioned law.
Or when an authority figure over you demands that you do something contrary to your conscience, politely refuse, and be ready for two things. First, be ready to explain yourself without screaming. Second, be ready to accept the consequences that come with standing on faith.
Gordan Runyan is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Tucumcari. Contact him at:
