Tuesday, June 26, 2007 AD Distrust Is Rebellion (Caution: half-formed thoughts ahead!)
With the Lord, distrust is always rebellion, because we are called to believe God completely. With lesser authorities, distrust is sometimes rebellion and sometimes not. When the authority has shown itself to be untrustworthy (federal government, anyone?), and especially when it has shown itself to be rebellious itself against God's law, then distrust is warranted. But when an authority, a parent, for instance, that has hitherto shown himself to be trustworthy says Do X, then to refuse or show reluctance because you claim to doubt his motives is rebellion.
So if I'm balking at some direction on the basis of distrusting the authority, I should consider whether I have a legitimate reason for that doubt: Has he been abusive, false, unkind, etc. in the past? If not, I might still need clarification for reassurance. Clarifying is one thing ("I'm confused. Have you thought about this angle or this possibility or this consequence?"); distrusting is another ("If you really cared about me, you wouldn't be asking this.") I shouldn't be surprised to find some mixture of these things in my thinking, because there's a mixture of sin and righteousness in my heart. I shouldn't let that paralyze me. I shouldn't let it keep me from asking for clarification and reassurance, because that shows rebellious distrust, too. A godly husband, parent, elder, etc. will be kind, patient and forgiving through such a process. If he's not, then back to the beginning -- maybe I do have a legitimate reason for distrust. But I shouldn't start there, for heaven's sake! And I shouldn't forget that he, too, has a mixture of sin and righteousness in his heart, so kindness, so patience and forgiveness are required of me, too. Posted by Valerie (Kyriosity) at 6/26/2007 03:05:00 PM
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