Thursday 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:
- At the end of the day, we must submit ourselves fully to the mission God has for us and to His Word. But, at the same time, we must recognize the political tension that exists. We must live IN the world but not be OF it. We must live AS the city of God while longing FOR the city of God that is to come. Only then will the government, led by Jesus Himself, be perfect and uncorrupt. What attitudes need to shift? How can you apply this to your life in your day to day?
- What has God been speaking to you this week? What thoughts have been rolling around in your mind? What is God asking you to do with all of this information?
Pray:
- That you would be submitted to HIS mission.
- That you would live in anticipation of the city to come.
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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