Monday Devo
Scripture:
1 Peter 2
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
13 For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, 14 or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.
Commentary:
2:13–14 Christians are to be subject to every civil authority (cf. Rom. 13:1–7). To punish (Gk. ekdikēsis, “justice, punishment, retribution”) includes not just deterring evil but carrying out retribution against those who do evil (see note on Rom. 13:4). By contrast, governments are to praise or reward those who do good, thus encouraging more good behavior.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2408.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2408.
Questions:
- In 1 Peter 2 verse 13, Peter explains the role of government and how we should interact with it as Christians. The government exists, according to scripture, to punish evil and promote what is right. And we are to submit to authority and realize that we have a deeper purpose than what is best for us. It really boils down to this... your HEAVENLY citizenship dictates your EARTHLY citizenship. In other words, your FAITH should inform your POLITICS and PLATFORMS. Can you say this is true of where you line up politically?
- Most people believe what we believe about social and political issues based on how we were raised or what we've experienced. But for the Christian, it should be God's Word that informs these things and we we line up. Are you weighing where you stand on different social issues against what is clearly taught in the Bible? Are you open to the fact that you could be in error scripturally
Pray:
- That you would be a citizen of heaven first.
- That your faith would inform your politics, not the other way around.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
4. Can a person be good enough to go to heaven? No. Because Jesus rose from the dead, proving He is God, I believe a person is saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
(John 1:12, 14:6; Acts 4:12; Romans 4:1-25, 5:1-2, 6-11, 6:23, 10:1-4, 10:9; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Titus 3:4-7)
1 Comment
How should we respond as Christians when the government doesn’t do what it is supposed to according to scripture? How do we respond when the government isn’t in line with scripture on either side of the aisle? How do we respond when the government begins to oppress those scripture says we should serve as Christians such as the poor, the widow, the orphan?