The Greater Danger

In the book “Foundations of the Christian Faith,” James Montgomery Boice talks of the tension between church and state, and the role of the Christian in that tension.  He speaks of the sovereignty of God over that of the state as a “God-dominant” condition.  And he uses the example of Pontius Pilate and Jesus, who told Pilate, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin."

In this text, Jesus recognizes the authority of the state, but does so with the understanding that this authority is derived from a greater authority…God.  And Jesus also gives the Jews the greater condemnation because they were sinning out of hate-filled hearts and against their own laws, where Pilate was sinning against his conscience—he had already pronounced Jesus innocent.

He concludes this part of the discussion with these words.

“…the greater danger lies, not with the state, but with those who are closest to spiritual things.  Others may sin out of ignorance or neglect or cowardice.  But religious people are inclined to sin out of arrogance or pride or actual hatred of God and God’s truth—even when they think they are most moral.”

This is Jay again.  This statement hauled me up short.  Boice’s point is well-taken.  To think that I may sin out of arrogance and pride, or even hatred of God or the Truth of God, is a sobering thought.  The fact that I have knowledge of God and His Word creates a greater accountability on my part before the Righteous Judge.  And to know that I might commit that kind of sin thinking I am the most moral and righteous is doubly-frightening.

This world is filled with sin-traps.  And this is a big one.  It is obvious that we can never successfully navigate life unaided.  But thanks be to God, who provides us with the “paths of righteousness” and leads us in those paths “for His name’s sake.”