Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thurs., 2/10/11 Devotion (Rom. 13:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Romans 13:1, a verse many Chris-
tians cringe at:

"Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appoint-
ed by God."

Here is a biblical syllogism: God ordains civil government/Not all civil government is good/But all legitimate civil government is ultimately established of God. If this is true, and it clearly is, then what is our hearts' attitudes to be toward government--be it good or bad?

If we adopt an attitude of rebellion, then we are simply showing our true colors. We don't trust God (despite all our religious talk)--and we are insurrectionists against Him. If we take a stance of godly, faith-filled submission, then we show our true colors: we are a genuine children of the same God whose Son subjected Himself to [evil] civil government.

[Puritan quote of the day: "If you do not do your duties towards God, God will suspend the comforts of your graces from you." --Christopher Love, in his sermon, "Why are the People of God Cast Down?"]