Autonomy

"Every man did what was right in his own eyes," Judges 21:25.

A wonder, isn't it, such a free land? Nobody to tell us how to live our lives? Where autonomy rules, so to speak? Well, that's how Scripture summarizes such a time. A summary comes at the end, doesn't it, after all the important stuff is told? So that line above trails a 21 chapter description of men living their own autonomous lives. Where women can be handed over for rape and murder in order to maintain a man's dignity. Where priests serve the highest bidder. Where children are sacrificed with impunity. Where men are drummed up willy-nilly to slaughter totally their own people. Where a townful of people are burned alive in a tower. Where ad hoc armies of thugs destroy peaceful towns because they can. A land where nobody can tell us what to do -- unless they're bigger or stronger. Happily then, there's also this line from Scripture: God (not man) has set in place governing authorities. No wonder.

Christ suffered leaving his people an example. When Jesus' people suffer, even under government sanction, we will not be ashamed, but under Christ's name we will glorify God. Visiting with a brother or sister today, together we'll give thanks to God, and do what is right in Jesus' eyes.