After watching the debates and divisions of the House of Commons I have much more respect for MPs than previously. After the expenses scandal of 2009 many of us regarded our representatives rather low. However the bible tells us that the authorities actually do deserve our respect:
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.As a friend recently observed, the 'authorities' at the time when Paul wrote this would have been the government of Emperor Nero- a mad man who appointed his horse as Senator, burned Rome and crucified Christians. If he was deserving of respect then how much more are our MPs worthy?!
Watching BBC Parliament has actually helped me with this. These guys do spend a lot of time listening to debates and statements and petitions about totally varied and complex issues. Many 'sittings' last till late at night- I gave up at 11.03pm the other evening but they were still going strong! Most surprisingly many of the MPs from opposing parties actually work together much of the time. I even found myself, if not agreeing with, then at least respecting the opinions of the parties I had previously disliked.
I was, however, rather startled to hear one particular comment made by a member. Replying to someone else's speech the MP, in derogatory tones, said "Did I detect certain moral overtones in your remarks?" * Now, maybe I'm mistaken, but I was under the impression that the Houses of Parliament were meant to be the very moral bastion of our British civilisation- providing the basis of justice, law, order and stability. Apparently however 'morality' is something off-limits to our law-making betters.
In our 21st Century world, governments and senates and parliaments no longer are expected to uphold a nations' morality. Rather morality is a rude, unspoken word.
Thankfully there is another 'bastion' or 'pillar' of morality and truth in our world, other than the Government! According to the Bible, it is the job of the Church to uphold the truth! Its a heighty and weighty position in which we find ourselves!
I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.As 'the church of the living God' we must faithfully act as ambassadors and representatives for the Lord God- proclaiming before our peers the beauty and wonder and grace of our King!
One thing is certain though: if I had to choose between dwelling in the House of Commons or the House of God, I know where I'd choose!
*The irony of the situation eluded the MP: He was protesting that the other MP had been judging people with his own private standards- however in doing so he was doing just the same thing!
