30 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional
“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.” 1 Peter 2:13-15
Do you ever find it difficult to live and work under leaders or authorities? Peter, Paul and Jesus, all tell us to submit to the authorities around us because it is God who places them there. At any given time, God can raise a nation to predominate or take one down and destroy it. Think about when they were writing and the governors and institutions that were in charge. Those religious institutions and the government were brutal to Christians and often hunted them down, lit them on fire, or killed them in a horrid manner.
Yet, Peter, Paul, and Jesus say that we are to submit or be subject to these people. Peter in the verses following the ones above, reminds us that we are ‘slaves’ to Jesus and his will for our lives is to submit. We are no longer living for ourselves, but living for Jesus and in doing so we will face persecution and suffer because of his name. Jesus also expects governments to do something, punish those who do evil, and praise those who do good. When governments don’t fulfill their mandates, then God punishes them.
One thing we can consistently do no matter the institution or government is to do good and be torch-bearers of the gospel. The Lord expects us to fulfill the mission mandated to us in Matthew 28:19 regardless. Our good works will be the judge of wicked people, leaders, and rulers. If they harm us, God will not let them off the hook but give them punishment. Jesus himself warned the people that if anyone hurt one of his followers, it would be better to have a millstone tied around their neck and thrown into the sea. God will deal with them.
Are you submitting to earthly authorities?
Reading Plan: Psalm 131, 132; Zeph. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 2:11-25; Matthew 20:1-16
No comments:
Post a Comment