Tuesday, June 8, 2021
1 Peter 2:11-25
Reflect
Peter’s words sound straightforward. Verse 13 says, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors”. But when the Christians under Hitler read this, was it still so straightforward? What about our Covid times? Aren’t our governments even a little ungodly? Peter wrote this letter in a time when Nero was ruler of the Roman Empire, a cruel tyrant! Still the message comes across. We are to do everything for the Lord’s sake. So, in our daily life we should abide by the rules of the land we live in. All are commanded to cooperate with their rulers, as far as conscience will allow.
Peter told the High Priest in Acts 5, “We must obey God rather than men”. Our accountability and loyalty are to God as last authority! Our lives are to be devoted to others. “Honour all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.” For Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this meant speaking up against a tyrant, and losing his life just days before the war ended. While for Corrie ten Boom, it meant hiding Jewish people and surviving a concentration camp.
Apply
Let’s keep in check with the Holy Spirit, praying for those in authority and “that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.”
Annette Faszer
Pray
- For those who need to be encouraged in heart and united in love.
- Pray through the prayer section in our online program.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Mike Bartusek and his family.
- Pray for our Hospitality Coordinator, Irene Dickau.
- Pray for Erin Gibbard, Youth Ministry Assistant.