No one can escape God's reach

A thoughtful and well-informed friend recently commented on a post I made on FB which spawned this current blog. He identified that he is a “Libertarian” adding, “ I just don't like government interference of any sort.” I found my friend’s comment concerning government both revealing and helpful.

 

I know and have known people of faith who identify likewise. Libertarians share many of the ideals delineated by the Christian faith but often for different reasons. However when Libertarianism collides with “Thus sayeth the Lord”--and it does eventually--one has a serious choice to make. You will either serve your personal preference/conviction OR you will serve the Divine Sovereign of the universe. That is what Lordship means.

 

I consider Eve the first libertarian on record. She had the decree of the Lord Himself telling her what was forbidden in the garden yet at the end of her conversation with the Deceiver, she made her choice. “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.” Genesis 3:6

With all the thoroughly inept handling of Romans 13:1-4 of late, the salient wisdom of God gets trampled. Gov’t was actually ordained by God to be a tool of His and a safeguard for the masses.  BUT--by God’s design all governments was to be a constrainer of that which is evil. (Evil is defined by God, not culture, not individuals, and not even government.) This is why the passage says "For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil."  (Romans 13:3-4)

 

Succinctly stated--if you want to have no fear of government then do what is right; RIGHT as defined by God.

 

I suppose one could say God is the “true” Libertarian. That is He extends liberty as far as His Holy nature, love and goodness permit. Divine love demands boundaries; ie., rules, laws, fences, all designed to enhance one’s quality of Life by the One who defines it.

 

So true libertarianism is neither antinomian nor anarchy where self-determination rules the day. “Live and let live” may sell pretty well in a thoughtless and apostate society. But when your neighbor’s “Live and let live” encroaches on my “Live and let live” as it will, someone has to step in.