Thank You For The Answers

I got several good answers to my question on the last post..... thank you!! A few of you decided to e-mail your answers to me, because of length or sensitivity. The responses were too good not to share with everyone. I only have permission to share this one, and she pretty much sums up what everyone said.

This is what Laura had to say (with a few 'sensitive areas' removed):

"WOW! What a conundrum. Here is what I think. God has told us that we are to obey His word above all else. He has told us in His word that we are to obey those in leadership over us.. According to Matthew 28:19 we are to go and teach (verbs) to ALL nations. So according to God's word we are to go and teach and I believe we will have God looking out for us. I do think that there are rules put in place for this to happen! Missionaries get VISA's and permission from the governments before they go. What a freedom to be doing God's work while ALSO obeying the authorities! I don't think that this is a special dispensation for just missionaries, but for all believers. That being said...Romans 13 comes up. All the powers that be are ordained of God...whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. God knows what rules we live under, he has put those that make the rules in their places. We know that God is NEVER surprised. That man who distributed coins was in essence handing out tracts...[and]... this is against [his employer's] policy. Like I tell the girls if there is a rule you need not get so close to the rule that it is fuzzy to whether or not you are obeying the rule, you need to be far away from that line on the good side of the rule. Does that make sense? Example, if the rule at college is to wear dresses that cover the knee should the skirt or dress be right at the knee or a bit further down? I would say a bit further down to make sure you are well within the rules. As we know it can be very easy to spot Christians in our every day life, some are covert true, but some are easily recognized. We also know that the unsaved are ALWAYS watching us, almost hoping to catch us doing something they perceive as wrong or against God's word. This guy seems like a Christian that is handing out the coins, the thing is the people watching him, people in his unit and all around him. They are now looking at him as a rule breaker, disobedient. What kind of witness is that? Your life is the only Bible some will ever read and what have those around this fellow read? We are to uphold the rules we are under. We don't have to agree with them, but ultimately we have to obey. As you said in your last post with [your daughter] that if you would just obey, you wouldn't have to feel like this. This is true of this man, he is now in trouble with his command and could possibly [lose his job]. Would God lead someone to disobey a rule that was made with the power God gave out? I don't think so, it would be to me like God is going back on something he said. Obedience offers us protection in the world. I think of David and Saul, Saul hated David, tried to kill him actively! BUT David submitted to his authority and trusted that God would make a way! David cut off a corner of Saul's robe in the cave and I Sam 24:5-7 says that David's heart smote him for this small act of disrespect towards the Lord's anointed!!! WOW! David was of course a man after God's own heart, a sinner to be sure, but after God's own heart! How powerful! Even a small amount of disrespect should make us examine our hearts about the authority over us! We are not to obey our parents only if they are super cool and wonderful...we are to honor them regardless!! I feel that you can be a witness and a good Christian without actively witnessing to everyone. I am sure that the people you have fed meals to, the people who have been to your home and the folks that hubby works with knows there is something different about your family! We can witness to them by asking God to bring questions to their mind and direct them to you! The folks you are around know that there is something different about you guys! I am positive of it! Without saying I am a believer in Christ and you need to be too you are witnessing to them. There is a peace about your family, a wonderful love of a husband and wife, the respectful obedience of your children, the happy submission that you give to your husband. When your hubby took this assignment he knew the rules and you were apprised of them also. Your husband still chose to take the assignment with "all the strings attached". You are to submit to your husbands decision of course, he is to submit to the rules placed over him. I am sure there are people all the time that have seeds planted when they are given a tract but I am also a firm believer in life evangelism! Live your life in obedience to God and people will not only see it but they might want it. The Holy Spirit calls to unbelievers hearts, God draws them to him, we are to be a light so that they can see us and come to us when God draws them! John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him. I guess I said all this to say, the guy did wrong. He probably caused more harm than good in a very sticky situation. In your position I would say the best thing is for you to keep living the life God would have you live and people will see! Trust God!"