Recently, a man in New Zealand declared himself a 'sovereign citizen' — someone beyond the jurisdiction of the New Zealand criminal justice system.
He did this to try to avoid paying a fine for failing to register his dog.
However, the court rejected his application as ‘legally unsound’ and he lost the case and was forced to pay his opponents legal costs.
His assertion of sovereignty ultimately couldn’t work.
Yet this curious case illustrates the experience of humans and their creator. For humans have declared themselves ‘sovereign’ from their creator and wish to live beyond God’s jurisdiction.
Yet, concerningly, the creator rules this declaration of independence unsound and will ultimately force people to pay accordingly.
But there is good news; for if we repent and believe in Jesus, God forgives our declaration of sovereignty and we can live in peace with him.
