Pointing the Finger?
I would like to air my feelings, comments and questions about what is happening in my country, Britain, at this time. It is not for me to comment on other countries, but some of this may just be familiar?
We had a new Prime Minister and he was welcomed like a breath of fresh air, but soon - as usually happens - the honeymoon was over. People began to blame him and the banks for the financial crisis and whatever else was going wrong. Now this is reinforced by the current daily revelations in the press of the alleged dubious expenses claims of some Members of our Parliament.
Much of this criticism may well be justified and certainly our government and the MP's we elected should be showing an example. However, I feel somewhat uneasy about all this 'pointing the finger.' I wonder how many in this country, whether journalists, business men or employees, are completely honest and beyond blame in their financial dealings with their own expense claims or income tax returns? And how would many of us feel if our financial details were open in public for all to scrutinise? I believe what is currently being revealed is only the tip of the iceberg as to what may be endemic in certain fields of employment and business.
The other thing is that whatever authority the Prime Minister and the government have, although they may well have been elected by the nation, that authority is given by God - perhaps we have the government we deserve? That doesn't mean that we cannot protest, but there are democratic ways laid down to do this, so shouldn’t we be careful what we say? But then, the respect for authority in this country has been eroded over the last 15 years and I can’t help but observe that it is being replaced with aggression. Where does this come from? The dysfunctional family? We can’t blame the government for that, can we?
You will notice I have left the 'Great' out of Britain. This is my country and I still feel it is great, but we have lost much of our Christian heritage and so are slipping out of God's providence. Many in Britain are angry at the moment and want justice - but justice for someone else? I believe God is also angry, but His justice is a bit different to ours?
We had a new Prime Minister and he was welcomed like a breath of fresh air, but soon - as usually happens - the honeymoon was over. People began to blame him and the banks for the financial crisis and whatever else was going wrong. Now this is reinforced by the current daily revelations in the press of the alleged dubious expenses claims of some Members of our Parliament.
Much of this criticism may well be justified and certainly our government and the MP's we elected should be showing an example. However, I feel somewhat uneasy about all this 'pointing the finger.' I wonder how many in this country, whether journalists, business men or employees, are completely honest and beyond blame in their financial dealings with their own expense claims or income tax returns? And how would many of us feel if our financial details were open in public for all to scrutinise? I believe what is currently being revealed is only the tip of the iceberg as to what may be endemic in certain fields of employment and business.
The other thing is that whatever authority the Prime Minister and the government have, although they may well have been elected by the nation, that authority is given by God - perhaps we have the government we deserve? That doesn't mean that we cannot protest, but there are democratic ways laid down to do this, so shouldn’t we be careful what we say? But then, the respect for authority in this country has been eroded over the last 15 years and I can’t help but observe that it is being replaced with aggression. Where does this come from? The dysfunctional family? We can’t blame the government for that, can we?
You will notice I have left the 'Great' out of Britain. This is my country and I still feel it is great, but we have lost much of our Christian heritage and so are slipping out of God's providence. Many in Britain are angry at the moment and want justice - but justice for someone else? I believe God is also angry, but His justice is a bit different to ours?
A link to explain what the expenses furore is all about.
On the positive side, all this can be used for transformation and change, starting with the nation's repentance and returning to God. This is what I believe many are praying for.
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men." 1Peter 2:13-15
"Pilate said to him, "You will not speak to me? Remember, I have the authority to set you free and also to have you crucified." Jesus answered, "You have authority over me only because it was given to you by God. So the man who handed me over to you is guilty of a worse sin." John 19:10-11 Good News Bible
"Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God's permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself." Romans 13:1-2
1 comments :
Very well put. I am in Washington State in the USA. I have noticed a lot of hostility at government officials for many years now. We too just got a new president and when he first took office it seemed that the whole world was infatuated with him but that has fizzled a little bit. With the finacial crisis and stock market blue's continuing to get worse people are starting to wonder when the big change is going to happen and are starting to point the finger once again at the White House. I can't say that I am exactly happy with everything that is going on politically in this nation but there has been quite a shift in the spiritual life of many americans. I heard just the other day on Family Life with Dr. James Dobsen that the U.S.A. has seen a very large surge in the churchgoing population. The country as a whole has been more generous in the midst of poverty and that in recent polls most family's feel closer than they did 10 years ago.
Now like I said....I may not like what is happening with much of the nations politics but what I do know is that ultimately God is in control and will make good come from the bad.
Thanks For The Good Post
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