The Spirit of Lawlessness

As a fisherman, I am astounded by the myriad of laws that are made just to preserve the fisheries. Well, until I see people in action. I think there is more cheating in fishing than any other sport. People say things like, “It won’t matter if I take an underside one. There are lots to go around. It’s only one. How can that hurt?” Oddly enough, there are usually very good reasons for the laws we have. Most laws have the goal of preserving the things we have for future generations. Some seem to just be there to help people from being stupid. Then there’s a few that just seem to be about control. But let’s not get political, shall we?

Years ago when I lived in Sothern California, I would always be there for the opening of lobster season. At 11:45 pm every March on the first Wednesday after the full moon, we would set up on the pier and throw out our hoop nets At midnight the nets could begin to be brought up. All lobsters had to be checked with a gauge, and any undersized ones returned to the ocean. The ones that were only 1/8” short were the hardest to release. So much so, that I finally asked one of the Fish & Game officers why there was a minimum size. He explained that this was to make sure that that lobster was assured at least one year of maturity in order to reproduce. Ah, so its’s to conserve the fishery. One the group on the pier heard that, it made it much easier to return the little guys. (They started calling me the “teacher” after that)

So what’s up with humans and their resistance to laws? I think it’s because none of us like to be told what to do. In fact I would submit that it is hard wired into us from birth, that and selfishness. Probably the two most repeated lines from children are “Mine!” And “Don’t tell me what to do!” Like selfishness, it comes standard in the normal human condition. There seems to be a pervasive idea that says, “Since it’s not hurting anyone else, what’s the big deal?” We cannot be sure no one else has or will be hurt until they are. Instead, we need to be Human 2.0, the “New Creation”. God calls us to obedience.

Whenever you come across a law that you don’t understand (or don’t like) try this.

1. Find out why the law is there in the first place?

2. Think about what caused it to be created and what would happen if it were not there.

3. If you think the law is unjust or meant to just control, there is a process for that. It might be time to contact those you have elected…

Hebrews 13:17 says, Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.