Essential – Ron Aitken

As of last Friday, the rule restricting non-essential activities in Oregon has now been extended through July 6. Even among people who agree that these steps may be necessary, many folks are wondering how long this can persist. And even as we make an earnest effort to comply, we are left to discern what parts of our life are truly “essential”. What is essential to preserve life? What is essential to promote justice? What is essential to maintain human dignity? What is essential for a soul to be in a right relationship with God?

As Christians, we should be accustomed to exercising godly discernment in a whole range of situations that arise in life. And unlike those who are far from God, we are informed in these decisions by God’s word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Of course, most of us are well-aware of the instruction in Romans 13, that, “every soul be subject to the governing authorities.” Indeed, we are told that “whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” [Rom 13:1-2] With that in mind, we each face the challenge of living out our faith in a way that honors God and the authorities God has placed over us.

When Jesus was asked whether we should pay taxes to the governing authorities, He issued His well-known decree to, “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” [Mark 12:17] In pronouncing this rule, Jesus seems to acknowledge that, in this life, there might be times when a government decree interferes with a believer’s duty before God. In those cases, we are obliged to reject the human authority and follow God. However, when there is no specific conflict with God’s will that would require us to resist, we are left with the general rule that Christians should obey their government.

Where such matters of discernment arise, prayer, study and thoughtful reflection are what is truly essential. After all, when we represent ourselves to the onlooking world as followers of Jesus, our words and our actions reflect on Him, for better or worse. Surely, we have been sent out “as sheep in the midst of wolves” – but even so, we are called to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves”. [Matt 10:16]

Scripture gives us reason to look beyond the difficulties of this life to the hope that we have in Christ. Therefore, our lives should reflect that point of view and convey a kind of peace that goes beyond any human understanding. As we go, we ought to consider how we might stir up one another to love and good works. [Heb 10:24] At the same time, you should, “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” [1 Pet 3:15] After all, it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance [Rom 2:4] and it makes sense that we would reflect that kindness towards others as well.

While we naturally tend to resist rules that restrict our personal freedom, as Christians, we are set free from the curse of sin and death … and we know that the freedom we have in Christ can never be restricted. We have been warned that there will be trials and tribulations in this life. Nevertheless, we have been called to a life of service to others and devotion to God. Christians have sometimes suffered for their faith and at other times, they have simply suffered along with everyone else. But the essential thing that should always stand out is the gracious quality of our endurance.

Please pray for each other as we walk this path together. Some are suffering more than others and the opportunities to serve each other seem, at times, harder to find. But as we discern the parts of our life that are truly “essential” – pray that we would approach the question in light of God’s call upon us. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” [Micah 6:8]