Nation of Laws or Mobs

     The United States of America has long prided itself as a nation ruled by laws.  The same law applies to the rich and powerful as to the poor and weak.  At least that is what we have long claimed.  But if we look at reality what do we see?  I would suggest we are no longer a nation controlled by law, but rather by mobs.

     One way we see this is that a law is no longer something enacted "by the people" in an election.  Now it is declared by a judge in reaction to "loud" agitation by a large mob.  I call it a mob because a  "group"  is defined here as a collection of people who endeavor to gain something by peaceful and lawful means.  A "mob"  is a collection of people who seek change by intimidation, threats, and / or violence. 

     More and more we see demands based on people's feelings.  Threats and accusations are made against people based, not on evidence of a broken law, but on feelings and perceptions;  whether or not these are based on reality.  Evidence and facts no longer seem to matter.  How someone feels is the idol where many seem to bow.

     Some years ago I was driving along Interstate 40 traveling home from Texas to Ohio.  Shortly after crossing into Tennessee I was pulled over by a State Trooper.  He told me I was not speeding and he wasn't going to give me a ticket, but he asked me about my travel, who my parents were and what job did my Dad do.  He asked me what was in my trunk, and then asked what I would say if he wanted me to open my suitcase.  By the way, I am white.  I knew I was being profiled.  I was driving alone, west to east, out of state tags, and he was looking for drug traffickers.  I fit the profile, and he was only seeking to uphold the law.

     I could have made a demand for my "rights" against an "unreasonable search".  But that would just escalate the situation.  Perhaps I should have shouted about injustice and  "bullying".  I could have been taken to the station and gone to court.  Instead, I cooperated and was soon on my way. 

     This is the way God wants us to act.  When Jesus was here He lived under a very corrupt and repressive government.  A soldier could tell you to carry his load for a mile to give him a rest.  You had to stop whatever you were doing and obey.  Jesus said:  "whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him two."  (Matthew 5:41)  And just before in verse 39 He said:  "Do not resist evil, but whoever hits you on one cheek, turn to him the other also."  We often talk about "turning the other cheek" and how to get around that command, but we usually forget about the command:  "Do not resist evil".  Even if a law enforcement person is treating us in an evil manner, trampling on our rights, and "throwing his weight around", those words of Jesus stand as the command for a Christian.  1Peter 2:23 tells us Jesus set the example for us:  "when He was reviled, reviled not again.  When He suffered, He threatened not...."  He committed Himself to God and left all judgment in His hands. According to the Bible, (Romans 13:1-5 is very clear on this), a Christian is to resist the government only if there is a direct command to go against God's Word.  Otherwise we are to submit.  That is what Jesus did. 

     But in the America of today, we see more and more rule by mob.  More and more people are not looking at what the law says.  From the president on down laws are only enforced, or followed, if it fits with my personal feeling.  Just like Pilate in the days of Jesus, leaders today seem afraid to go against the mob.  Afraid to stand up for real justice and right.  Justice seems to be whatever the mob wants.  And weak, evil hearted politicians and judges go along with it.

     This is going to lead right into what Bible Prophecy has predicted for the last days.  Jesus told us the whole world is going to be arrayed against those who seek for Righteousness and Truth.  We will talk about this at another time.