Tuesday 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. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
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. 15 It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. 16 For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. 17 Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
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.
2:15 The godly lives of believers will put to silence any false charges raised against them.
2:16 Freedom in Scripture is not a license to sin but expresses itself in devotion to what is good (cf. Gal. 5:13–14).
2:17 everyone. All people deserve the same honor and respect as the emperor. Only God is to be feared. Believers should have a tender love for each other as members of the same family.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2408.
2:15 The godly lives of believers will put to silence any false charges raised against them.
2:16 Freedom in Scripture is not a license to sin but expresses itself in devotion to what is good (cf. Gal. 5:13–14).
2:17 everyone. All people deserve the same honor and respect as the emperor. Only God is to be feared. Believers should have a tender love for each other as members of the same family.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2408.
Questions:
- We need to learn to live as gospel-centered citizens. What does this look like? Gospel-centered citizenship leverages earthly citizenship for heavenly purposes. But let's also look at what gospel-centered citizenship is NOT. It doesn't mean government should push religion, but it also shouldn't exclude religion. It doesn't mean that Christians should avoid politics, but they also shouldn't abandon evangelism for politics. How can you bring balance to your views of and involvement in our political system?
- Basically, we should guard against two errors when it comes to politics: Overplaying and punting. Which error are you most inclined to commit? How do we know if we are in a healthy place in this area?
Pray:
- That you would learn to live as a gospel-centered citizen.
- That you would guard against overplaying and punting.
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)
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