Verse: 1Peter 2:13-15
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For it is God’s will that by doing good you would silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
Devotion
These daily devotions are meant to help you live the Christian life with confidence and peace. How has your life been in the last few months? Peaceful? Do you find yourself railing against “those people” on line now that everything is politicized? Was voting stressful? A friend of mine recently told me that she used to love coming to her church (not CityLight) because she felt so loved and accepted but now she feels like she is walking on eggshells because people would be very upset with her if they knew how she voted, regardless of who she voted for! She is considering not going for a while which is really sad.
So, what does the Bible say about our times and especially about our posture toward authority? Today’s scripture says to submit yourself to authority for the Lord’s sake. That means that we should have submitted in past years and be submitting now and in future years. This is not just Peter’s view. Paul writes something similar to this scripture in Romans 13:1.
At the time this was written, Peter was talking about submitting to the Romans, an occupying force! Why? He believed that God was in control of all things and that all things work for good for those that love God. He also believed that he was not a citizen of the earth but a citizen of the kingdom of God. And he believed that division hurts the church and drives new people away.
What does Peter say we should be doing? He says that God wants us to do good and that those actions would silence the foolish. How can you argue with those that provide food for the needy or that clothe the homeless? They will know we are Christians by our love. What can you do today that would be good and loving? Maybe just a call to a friend who is shut in and lonely due to Covid. Let’s be citizens of the kingdom today by praying for those in authority (1 Timothy 2) and loving others because of God’s love for us.
Prayer
Dear God, help us to live the life you want us to. You challenge us in so many ways to live differently. Help us to see what you are doing on the earth and to join with you to bring many into your kingdom of love and peace.
Author: Brad Dunn
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