Articles
Spiritual Fugitives
Romans 13:4 - “The government is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword in vain.” Imagine life as a fugitive. No peace. Always looking over your shoulder for cops. Can’t stay in one place too long. Can’t use your real name. Can’t wear normal clothes. Have to hide in plain sight. Ready to run at any moment. Can contact loved ones, but only briefly and from untraceable phones. Aren’t you glad you aren’t a fugitive? “Rulers are not a cause for fear for good behavior. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same.” (13:3).
Now imagine life as a spiritual fugitive, running from God, not the government. No peace. Always looking over your shoulder for Jesus. Can’t tell people how you’re really doing. Have to hide in plain sight. Prayers don’t go through. All alone. Terrified all the time. “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing…” (Prov. 28:1a). If you’re a spiritual fugitive running and hiding from your past, that’s no way to live. If you’re a spiritual fugitive because you’ve sinned and you’re trying to go on living as if it never happened, that’s no way to live. Give it up, turn yourself in to the Lord and He’ll release you from your fear. Consider the other half of Proverbs 28:1 — “But the righteous are bold as a lion.” Do you want to have no fear of God? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same.
