Expert: Phillip Senn - 4/25/2005

Question
I am a new Christian and I am trying to do things as I think God would want me to.  I understand I will never be without sin, and I will never be perfect but I would like to follow the Bible as much as I can.
The issue at hand is I have a neighbor that has a dog that they do not take care of and allow to run the neighborhood, the dog is very skinny and the people are not usually home to talk to even if I would want to about it.
I most likely would not have talked to them because they are kind of scary, they also gave our teenager ciggerettes a while back so they are not that reasonable I assume.
Anyway, their dog was in our yard bothering our dog while she was one a chain to potty. (Our dog is inside unless we let her out for a little bit on a chain to potty)
Anyway, I had it, the dog is soooo skinny and always loose so I called the pound.
Now I am feeling bad.  Would God had wanted me to do that?  What about honor thy Neighbor as thyself?  (I do not know the exact verse)
Did I sin?  Thanks for your imput.

Answer
Your question is not odd at all.

Scripture (Romans 13:1-4) indicates that we, as believers, are to subject ourselves to the higher powers. That is exactly what you did. You did not take matters into your own hands, but rather, you took the matter to the higher power (The animal control officers). Notice this passage says that the powers are not a terror to good, but to evil. We should never "feel bad" about doing things God's way. God's way, in this case, was to seek assistance from the "higher powers". Notice verse 4 says, "He is the minister of God to thee for good". The animal control officer is there to provide protection from those that do not care for their animals and keep them from abusing other people and their property.

As we all hope to hear someday when we stand before the Lord, now say I unto you in this matter, "Well done thou good and faithful servant".

With Love In Christ,
Phillip Senn