Who is the Lord That I Should Obey?

There has been the conflict for a while with how our American society has turned further and further away from the things of God.  This is represented in our government, our laws, and our homes.  It seems the natural response for a Christian in these times is to point to the bible to correct those that they feel are outside of God's will or are "sinning against God".  For a long while I have struggled with this method.  If a person does not have faith in God then what does it mean to them if the bible says that they should or should not participate in a certain act, or how to treat their fellow person?  I have often said that we are fighting the wrong fight.  Yes we should stand against principles that seek to rob our freedoms as Christians to live out our faith and share that with others.  Yes we should have a voice in how we want our world to look and we should work to protect those that have no voice.  However, there is a fine line on how we go about it.  Arguments and rants to a society that has no trust in God are ineffective and in many cases push people to a more hardened state than where they began. You see the initial step for change has nothing to do with if a law or an action is right, but rather the state of the heart.  It is difficult to convince a person that does not have a relationship with Jesus to follow the commandments of Jesus and build a society that represents the principles of God. 

Now like I said this conflict has been within me for a long while.  There is the pull that says you have to "fight" for what you believe in but then there is the understanding that I can't make a case for change in someone's life based on something they do not believe. 

Let me give you an example of how I see our society's response. There was a time that the people of Israel were enslaved by the Egyptians.  God called a leader named Moses to go to Pharaoh and tell Pharaoh that the Lord had said to let his people free.  Pharaoh's response found in Exodus 5:2  "Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go."
Now I am looking at Pharaoh's response, "who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?" I believe that this is the response of many in society today ... "who is the Lord that I should obey?"  And guess what! That is a great question!! Who is this Lord that one should obey? 

Now speaking to Christians that may need to hear, myself included: There is the step that I believe we have long skipped.  We have been fighting a fight to get people to change to God's ways before we have even introduced them to the One we are asking them to follow.  I am not saying to stop living and speaking of the principles of God.  As a Christian you should do these things.  You should live in such a way that people ask about the hope that you have.  (check out 1 Peter 3:15) If however, you are bitter and unapproachable and care only to point out another's fault then those that are without Jesus will never see that hope and most likely will want no part of what you have.  Don't skip the introduction.  After all, for a Christian, Jesus is the example and He was constantly introducing Himself. Some of the ways He introduced Himself are as followed: The light of the world, the son of God, the way, the truth, the life, the living water, and eternal life.  Let someone see how Jesus has been these things in your life, how he changed you from a lifestyle of destruction to a path of hope, or how He restored you after a great fall. Introduce Jesus.  He will change hearts and lives.

I understand that there can be a whole debate on the fact that Moses approached Pharaoh with "the Lord says." To that I say Moses had a direct word from God and he was obedient as should you be if God appeared to you in a burning bush or gave you other direct instruction. Followers of Christ have been given direct instruction as well . . . "Go and make disciples (followers of Jesus)..."  Matthew 28:19  See we are called to teach others Jesus.  

Introduce them, help them follow, and know that in the following freedom is found.