Tag: subject
Day 2–Truth for Resisters
Scripture reading for May 5: Romans 13:2-5“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 his 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. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience.”
Paul was under the authority of the Roman government as a citizen. He was also a devout Jew who was under God’s appointment as an apostle. God instructed him to write concerning authority and those resisting it. In general believers are not to resist authority established by God if what they ask us to do is reasonable under God’s law. We are not to break existing laws unless they force us to disobey God. Even then, resistance is to be courteous and respectful. (See Daniel 3:16-18)
Paul warned those doing wrong to be fearful of those in authority. He reminded them that those in authority ‘bear the sword’ and it wasn’t just for show. He also reminded them that they were ‘servants of God’ who carried out God’s wrath on wrong-doers. He emphasized that they must be subject to those in authority, not just to avoid God’s wrath, but so their conscience would not bring conviction and a personal reminder of God’s displeasure and their guilt.
Law enforcement is established by governments to protect and bless those doing right. It is to apprehend and punish those doing wrong. This is all a part of God’s ongoing purpose to bring peace and justice to society in order that they might find Him. All law enforcement serves at God’s pleasure and He watches over them to keep them doing right. If they do wrong, God knows how to correct the situation.
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful for those that You have provided to protect those who desire to do right and live a peaceful life. Help me to submit to them and pray that they would do their jobs with integrity and fairness, treating each person with respect and dignity. May You protect them from evil-doers. Amen.
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.”
Be subject to Authority!
Scripture reading for June 9th: Proverbs 11-13, Psalm 8, Romans 13
Key Scriptures: 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 his approval, for his 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 wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath, but also for the sake of conscience.”
God’s Word teaches us that He alone creates authority and places people in authority to fulfill His will and purposes. When we resist authority, we are resisting God’s appointed one. God’s appointed one is there for your good and protection. If you are doing wrong, God’s authority is there to punish and restrain evil. Each person knows this because God has made it plain in their conscience. There are no excuses now and will be none when we stand before God and answer for deeds done in our body in rebellion to our conscience and His appointed authority!
Psalm 8:4-5 “. . .what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”
Faith confession and prayer: Lord Jesus, I am thankful for those in authority, believing that You have placed them there for my good and blessing. Help me to honor and obey them, teaching others through example.
Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”