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Humbly honor all authority!

Scripture reading for October 10th: 1st Peter 2, Psalm 52, Proverbs 16

1st Peter 2: 13-19 “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by Him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using you freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.”

Peter, the apostle of suffering, calls Christ’s followers to humility and respect for all authority. He looks at the pagan Roman government as part of God’s protective covering, sent by God Himself to punish those who do evil and praise those who do good. God’s people are called to good works as they have been freed from their sin-nature by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. They are now to voluntarily become servants of God and live lives of love and respect towards all men. They are to reflect the grace that they themselves received from God. God’s steadfast love through Jesus Christ enables them to even love those who may enslave them and mistreat them. When enduring suffering, we reflect Jesus’ enduring suffering because of our sins. This is a gracious act that can open the hearts of our persecutors.

Psalm 52:1 “Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day.”

Prayer: Father God, thank You for this instruction from Peter, Your called Apostle. I sometimes struggle to honor those in authority who are wicked and mistreat those under their authority. Help me to love them and serve as a godly example to my own children and church family. Use me to demonstrate Your grace to me, a sinner, who has been forgiven and now serves You with joy and in faith in Your gracious love.

Proverbs 16:17-19 “The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; whoever guards his way preserves his life. Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor than to divide the spoil with the proud.”