History has a strange way of repeating itself. 3,000 years ago, Samuel wrote the book of Judges. It was a time of anarchy in the land. One verse, in particular, reveals the attitude of the culture at that moment in history, “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6).

The context of this verse is couched in a sad story describing how people were creating personal idols to fill the void in a perceived leadership vacuum. This has happened throughout history when people begin to think no one is leading them toward their preferred future. We have a sad history of filling voids with idols.

While we all want to think our worldview and resulting interpretation of how people should live is the correct one, the truth is, we all interpret life through a lens clouded by our life-experiences, social bias, and circles of affirming relationship. I think this is why Jesus gave such a broad definition of how to live a good and right life. In the long run, it really does not matter who is at the helm of an earthly government because Jesus will still be the King of kings and Lord of lords no matter what culture is going through or who is in the lead. He is always and forever at the helm of His kingdom. We are never without a King. 

When asked by the religious leaders of His day to tell them the most important commandment, Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). 

Jesus didn’t reference a preferred interpretation of Scripture or a single way to worship God or whether or not the culture was manifesting Godly wisdom in the highest office. It was love and love alone that defines the rightness of our lives. This kind of selfless love is the evidence that we have a King at the helm of our life. As a result of that understanding, we will be able to do what is right in His eyes no matter which way a culture turns.