Are We "Above The Law?"

Some people who are Christian that I know, posted on social media about opening their business this weekend. Pretty much defying the Illinois Governors order to shelter in place, till the end of May. I know what the Governor is ordering is not the law, but is an order to help protect us, from getting or spreading the coronavirus. He keeps telling us what he thinks is best for us to beat this virus. People are getting tired of staying in place, or sheltering themselves from everyone else. But does that mean that people can start doing whatever they want? Especially us Christians? Aren't we supposed to be different from the world? To act different, speak different? Not to blend in, but stand out? These people decided that they were no longer going to wear masks, shelter in place, and open their business, going against the Governors orders to do this till the end of May.

1 John 2:15-17 New Living Translation (NLT)¹⁵ Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. ¹⁶ For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. ¹⁷ And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

God says in His word to be law abiding citizens. To respect our government authorities. Now if the Mayor, Governor or President tells us to do something that goes against God and His word, then that is a different story.

Titus 3:1-2 The Message (MSG) 3 ^1-2 Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous.

So we think that this government ordered shelter in place has gone to far. That the governor has over reached his authority. I'm not trying to be political here, but I don't think that we can just start doing whatever we want because we don't like it.

John 13:35 The Message (MSG)^34-35 “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”

God calls us to love one another. How is defying the shelter in place order, showing God's love to one another?

Romans 15:2 The Message (MSG)15 ^1-2 Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”

I think that is where Christianity gets a bad rap sometimes, because we think that we can do whatever, just because we are Christians. That we are above the law.

Ephesians 4:31-32 Amplified Bible (AMP)
³¹ Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence]. ³² Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

So, as we move forward during this time. Let's remember to be patient, kind and loving towards each other. Not to rush our own agenda, but to wait on God. He has this. He's always had this. He is using this for His glory. Not ours.