Unlawful Attitudes

By Dan C. Bailey       Last week I stopped at a three-way stop at about the same time as two other cars.  I waited for them to go and before I could enter the intersection, two other cars ran the two stop signs.  This was new to me.  On many occasions, people have run a stop sign at this particular intersection, but never, until last week, did two people run through the intersection unlawfully at the same time.  It made me think about our society.  Evidently this type of unlawful activity is becoming popular.  May I suggest some reasons why this is probably the case? 1.     People have a lack of respect for the law and for authority.  Their motto seems to be:  "If I'm not caught then who cares."  Of course such an attitude toward unlawful activity is a violation of the word of God.  Peter said, "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well" (I Peter 2:13-14). 2.     People have a lack of respect for their fellowman. Jesus taught, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12). These same rude and inconsiderate people would get upset if someone did the same thing to them. Or even more likely, they might have a wreck in the intersection and possibly hurt someone. 3.     Many people are so selfish that they simply do whatever pleases them. They are the standard and whatever benefits them is best! This is the opposite attitude of a Christian. Paul said, "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others" (Phil. 2:3-4). 4.     Many people simply do not fear God. They are not concerned about pleasing Him, and they have no desire to obey His commandments. How sad that people are so selfish, so disrespectful, and so rebellious toward God and toward authority, and toward their fellowman. May we always remember the admonition of Solomon. "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).     Let us always respect the law, respect our fellowman, and especially respect and reverence the Almighty God. "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect" (Gen.17:1).

- Dan C. Bailey serves as a minister with the State Street Church of Christ in Bristol, VA. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.thelordsway.com/statestreetchurchofchrist/framedindex.asp?Group=Home