Tag: God’s servants
Day 2–Servants of God
Scripture reading for March 17: Romans 13:1-5 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrong-doer.”
Most first responders, even volunteers, are a part of the government provided to serve and protect the people under their jurisdiction. The fire departments, sheriff departments, municipal police, emergency medical teams, and emergency management are all there as servants. And God’s Word declares that God has really appointed them! God instructs the people to be subject to them and respect them as His servants. God has provided them to watch over the people and reward and protect those who do good and to apprehend and punish those doing harm and evil. God even authorizes the use of deadly force. There are some instances where that is necessary to protect the innocent and stop evil from being perpetrated.
God is a God of order and justice. He is a lawgiver Who demands obedience and lists the rewards for obedience and the consequences of disobedience. He gives each person a free will to choose and encourages them to obey with promised blessings. He warns of curses overtaking those who live in rebellion or disobedience. (Deuteronomy 28) All those in authority are appointed by God and will ultimately answer to God for their execution of their job. God demands impartiality and justice because those in leadership reflect His rule.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your amazing justice and righteousness reflected in Your order in this universe. Thank You for placing those in authority to carry out Your Word and laws. As one under Your authority, help me to reflect Your holiness and justice and compassion to this world. Amen.
Authority’s protective covering!
Scripture reading for July 30th: Romans 13:1-14
Paul’s practical application of faith included how to relate properly to authority in our lives. Today, it is popular to talk bad about our government, leaders, and those in authority over us. This kind of talk leads to disrespect for authority and can reflect a rebellious attitude towards God Himself! God is a God of order and through His word, gives us instructions on relating to government authorities.
God establishes all authority! (Romans 13:1) When we rebel against authority, we are really rebelling against what God established! This brings judgment on those who do such things! God has given responsibility to those in authority. They are to be a protective covering over those they are leading. This protection is in the form of making laws and enforcing those laws. They are to reward or bless those who keep the law, and punish those who break the laws.
Those under the law are instructed to submit to authority. This submission is to be voluntary and means to willingly stand under the authority and serve them by obeying the laws. If we do that, we are promised commendation from the authority and God! (Romans 13:3)
When someone breaks the laws, God has assigned those in government power to enforce the law (even with the sword). They are His servants, according to Paul! (Romans 13:4) We are to pay taxes to the government to provide for the leaders over us who keep this protective covering of law and enforcement. We are able to live in safety as long as we joyfully submit to this authority.
In America, we are blessed because our government was based, to a large extent on the Bible and God’s law. Our founding fathers wanted to establish a righteous government that would protect life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for those who submitted to it. Under this authority, people were to be free to own property and do business. They were to use their talents and abilities to bless others and make a living. They were to pay taxes to support this government and submit to it’s laws and enjoy it’s blessings.
Maintaining righteous government requires godly people voting to keep godly people in government who will guard our laws, and keep in mind the truth that all authority comes from God! Woe to us when we depart from these basics!