God’s Truth for Trying Times - 5/2/20

We need God’s truth in trying times. Read the Scripture passage, think about what it is saying, then pray; by yourself or with your household. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly (Col. 3:16).

READ: Romans 13:1-7

““Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.” (Romans‬ ‭13:1-7‬)

CONSIDER: Governing authorities are people that are in civil positions of leadership, at many levels from the local to the national level. In America, that is a very complex system with multiple levels and often competing allegiances or conflicting expectations. This makes our job as Christians even more complex. Nevertheless, when God gives imperative commands, our conscience is bound to obey His authority. Our job is not to explain away the command, but to lean into it and to wholeheartedly embrace it. The challenge for conscientious Christians is to humbly and consistently to what God says. Your response to God and others is very important. To the degree that you insist upon your rights, your Gospel impact increases or decreases.

THINK: What does this declare about God? What are God’s people being called to do? What assurance is given? How does the Word of God transform our hearts and lives and relationships?

PRAY:‬‬ Pray these verses to God as a prayer. Pour out your heart in praise to God. Pray for others. Present needs to Him.