Romans 13:1-7
Be Still: Father, thank you that you know me and love me completely. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit and speak to me through your Word today. Amen
Read: Romans 13:1-7
'For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good…(v4a) therefore it is necessary to submit to the authorities' (v5a)
Encounter: As part of my job, I meet a lot of MPs and Government ministers. And, whilst it’s true that there are some incompetent numpties and some self-obsessed narcissists in the ranks, in my experience, the vast majority of our elected officials are smart, compassionate, incredibly hard-working individuals who are genuinely doing their best to serve our country.
However, you wouldn’t know that to open a newspaper or listen to a podcast. Politician bashing is an acceptable sport in the media and in our culture and we have to be careful that this attitude doesn’t extend to our churches. As hard as it may be sometimes, we are called to submit and to honour our political leaders. That doesn’t mean that we always agree with them or that we don’t challenge them or hold them to account, but it does mean that we should always endeavour to treat them with the same love and respect that we have been shown by our gracious Saviour. After all, as Paul reminds us, the one in authority is God’s servant for your good and we’re called to submit to them.
P.S. This also applies to your boss at work, our leaders at Gas Street and anyone else that sits in authority over you.
Apply: Take a moment to reflect on your attitude towards the leaders in your life. Do you struggle to submit to their authority, particularly when you disagree with them? Do you speak respectfully about leaders or are you guilty of a bit of leader bashing? Are you holding onto resentment or carrying any unforgiveness in your heart towards those who hold authority over you? Take this opportunity to repent and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to honour the leaders in your life.
Devote: Thank you Jesus for establishing the authorities that we sit under. Please help me to submit to them and to honour my leaders.