How can we ensure Christ is our King, unlike Israel in Judges 21:25? The Tragic One-Liner of Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” What Went Wrong in the Period of the Judges • God’s covenant people ignored His revealed law (Deuteronomy 6:4–9). • They failed to recognize the Lord as their ultimate King (1 Samuel 8:7). • Autonomy bred moral chaos, idolatry, civil war, and sorrow (Judges 17–21). Christ—The King Israel Needed and We Receive • Foretold: “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David… His kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32-33) • Declared: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.” (Matthew 28:18) • Enthroned: “He is King of kings and Lord of lords.” (1 Timothy 6:15) How to Ensure Christ Is Truly Our King 1. Submit to His Word – Read, meditate, and obey Scripture daily (Psalm 119:11; John 14:23). – Treat every passage as the King’s decree, not a suggestion (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 2. Cultivate Loving Obedience – “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) – Obedience that flows from love guards against mere external rule-keeping. 3. Renounce Self-Rule Continually – “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23) – Identify areas where “everyone does what is right in his own eyes” today—sexual ethics, money, entertainment, time use—and yield them to Christ. 4. Stay Planted in the Local Church – God places us under shepherds “who must give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17) – Regular preaching, Communion, and mutual accountability keep us from drifting into individualism (Acts 2:42-47). 5. Practice Spirit-Led Dependence – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) – Ask the Spirit to expose hidden rebellion and empower joyful submission (Romans 8:13-14). 6. Engage in Corporate Worship and Mutual Encouragement – “Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds… not neglecting to meet together.” (Hebrews 10:24-25) – Singing truths about the King reshapes affections and loyalties (Colossians 3:16). 7. Memorize and Speak the King’s Promises – Jesus countered temptation with “It is written.” (Matthew 4:4-10) – Scripture on our lips fortifies us against cultural pressures to self-govern. Guardrails That Keep Christ on the Throne • Regular self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5) • Confession and repentance as soon as sin is detected (1 John 1:9) • Fasting to remind the body it is not in charge (Matthew 6:16-18) • Giving generously to declare money is not king (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) • Serving others to mirror the King’s servant-heart (Mark 10:45) The Blessings of Living under Christ’s Kingship • Abundant life (John 10:10) • Rest for weary souls (Matthew 11:28-30) • Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17) • Unshakeable kingdom security (Hebrews 12:28) Israel’s chaotic finale in Judges warns us of the misery that follows when we dethrone God. By embracing Scripture, loving obedience, Spirit-empowered dependence, and church life, we enthrone Christ as the rightful King—enjoying the order, peace, and blessing His rule always brings. |
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