Author: Kerry

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
Romans 13:4,5

God Wants Me to Do What?

The word “submit” is not an easy word. To some, the word “submit” might even be considered insulting. “Submit” has a variety of meanings, from handing in an assignment or completing a form to surrendering to an enemy or giving in to an opponent. In some contexts, the word “submit” can make one think of giving in to an oppressor or surrendering to slavery.

Yet the apostle Paul calls us to “submit” to the governing authorities. Why? What does Paul mean here? Our responsibility to the government is to willingly admit that since God has established this authority over us, we will willingly obey that authority with honor and respect.

But that’s not so easy. Earthly government is far from perfect, made worse by the fact that it’s populated by sinners like us. Still, that doesn’t give us the right to say to God, “I refuse to show respect and honor for what you’ve put into place for my good!”

While we live under imperfect governing authorities, we look to Jesus, who perfectly lived as a citizen of church and state in our place. We look to Jesus, who faced injustice at the hands of the governing authorities he had established, even as he continued to respect and honor them. We look to Jesus, who faced God’s punishment for our sins, so God would declare us not guilty and set us free from submitting to sin’s slavery. With our eyes on Jesus, we can then respect and honor those whom God has placed in authority over us.

Prayer:
O Lord of nations, grant me wisdom, patience, and peace as I live out my life as your child in a sinful world. Move me to respect and honor those you have placed over me in authority. Enable our leaders to serve in a respectful and honorable way. Amen.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

Who Is in Charge?

“Who’s in charge here?” No one likes uncertainty. Whether in a familiar or unfamiliar setting, we like to know who is in charge, who is running things, who has the authority. With someone in charge, things can run rather smoothly as planned. Without someone in charge, depending on the scale of the situation, disorder, chaos, or even anarchy can result.

Our God is a God of order, not disorder. He wanted peace and order in the world he had created, so God established government. Our God did not want life in our world to devolve into anarchy. God established government to maintain order in society for us to live with one another in peace while curbing criminal behavior with the threat of punishment and force. This is for our good, and God blesses us when the government carries out this task.

Yet there is a limit to the authority that our God has given to the government. Rules and laws protect our bodily life and property, but the government’s authority is limited to earthly matters. The government does not have power over our eternal destiny. Only our gracious God holds that authority.

We would be wise to remember this when we are tempted to look to government for something more than earthly matters. Candidates and political parties make all kinds of promises, so we are tempted to think that if only this leader or that political party were in charge, life would be the way we want it. We dare not forget that our God, who created the universe and government, is the One who gives authority to those who serve in government. They have no authority apart from him. This is especially good for us to remember when we recall that forms of government are man-made and sinful human beings serve in government. So when you look out at the political landscape, remember to look to the One who is truly in charge for your good.

Prayer:
O Lord of nations, you give authority to earthly rulers and government. You can also take it away. Grant wisdom and humility to our leaders and all who serve in government. Through their work as your servants, bless our land with peace and prosperity. Amen.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

We Live In Two Kingdoms

Where do you live? Where are you a citizen? It’s important to know your citizenship. There is a certain pride in being a citizen of your country. There are often benefits to being a citizen, but did you know that a person can also be a “dual citizen,” having citizenship in two different countries at the same time?

That’s a good picture of the spiritual reality for Christians. They are “dual citizens” of God’s kingdom of grace and his kingdom of power. They live in two kingdoms, both overseen by our gracious God.

On the one hand, all who believe in Jesus as their Savior live in God’s kingdom of grace. God uses the liberating grace of the good news of Jesus to release us from sin and its condemnation. We get to enjoy all of the blessings that come with being citizens of this kingdom—forgiveness, joy, peace, and eternal life through Christ our Savior. Yet we also have responsibilities. God sends us out into the world to share his saving gospel with others and to serve others in Christlike love.

Yet we are also citizens of God’s kingdom of power. God’s kingdom of power focuses on how we behave and live with the people in our communities and countries. We live under governments that seek to establish order through laws while punishing those who disobey those laws. As citizens of that kingdom, we enjoy the blessings that God provides through government.

In a sense, God has made us dual citizens—citizens of God’s kingdom of grace and his kingdom of power. With God’s help, we live with feet firmly planted in both, living as recipients of God’s freeing grace while serving him and our neighbor in our homes, congregations, communities, and countries.

Prayer:
O Lord of nations, in your wisdom, you have made me a citizen of your kingdoms of grace and power. In all things wherever I live, help me to live in service to you and my neighbor, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.
Romans 13:1

Established by God

God established governing authorities because human beings are not perfect. Sin doesn’t just affect our relationship with God; it affects our relationship with each other. Sinful humanity needs an institution to keep the peace, and God established the governing authorities to make the sin-infested world a safer place to live.

This is why the government does so much that is good. You experience that good whenever you drive on a highway or enjoy police protection. It’s a great blessing to worship and speak your faith without government interference. When God’s servants in government do their job, God’s servants in his kingdom can do theirs.

But sin always corrupts, and the governing authorities are no exception. The government often ignores God, who established it, and oppresses people rather than serves them. Jesus experienced affliction under government authority. He was unjustly arrested, tried, beaten, and crucified—all at the government’s command.

Why did Jesus endure it? Because he loves you. He perfectly submitted to the governing authorities and demonstrated that he was in complete control. Government gone wrong sent Jesus to the cross, and that is exactly where he wanted to go. Even bad government is part of God’s plan to save sinners because it sent Jesus to Calvary to complete his work of salvation for us.

Governing authorities are not perfect, but they are a gift from God. Government is a gift for this life from the Savior, who will still be King of kings and Lord of lords when all earthly governments have passed away.

Prayer:
Gracious Father in heaven, thank you for the gift of government. Bless and guide all who make, administer, enforce, and judge our laws, so that I may live in peace until I enter your eternal kingdom. Amen.

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servant, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
Romans 13:4

God’s Servant To Do Us Good

The U.S. pledge of allegiance reads, “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God…” Some might think that the phrase “one nation under God” is a uniquely American characteristic. But the same phrase could be said of Canada, France, Peru, Zambia, and every other country in the world. All nations, all governments, and all authorities are under God. No authority exists except that which God has established (Romans 13:1).

Our verse today reminds us why God established the governing authorities. Governing authorities are God’s servants to do us good. Ponder the comfort in that phrase “God’s servants to do us good.” All kings and kingdoms serve the eternal King. God remains in firm control “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21). He rules over everything for the good of his church (Ephesians 1:22). Jesus bought the church with his blood, made her holy through the waters of baptism, and rules to gather and bring her safely to his heavenly kingdom.

Ponder the good God provides through his servants. In addition to caring for our souls and eternity, our God also cares for our bodies and lives. He seeks to provide care, order, and protection for life in a sinful and evil world. He has servants who serve these good purposes by punishing wrong-doing and promoting and doing good.

Will we see failures, weaknesses, and evil in God’s servants who are to do us good? Yes, just as we see these things in our own hearts and lives. This is why we ponder God’s perfect servant most of all. God sent his own perfect Son into this world who came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). God’s perfect servant Jesus gives us peace as we live in this temporary kingdom and look forward to his eternal kingdom.

Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for the good you provide me through your governing servants and through your perfect servant, Jesus Christ. Amen.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:20,21

Eager Anticipation

I’ll never forget it. My sister had traveled some distance to surprise my dad on his 60th birthday. When he came into the kitchen for breakfast, she was there. “Surprise!”

But my dad’s response made a deep impression on me. While he was certainly happy to see her, he didn’t give my sister the reaction she wanted. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Of course! “But,” he explained, “I missed out on the fun of looking forward to your visit.” Eagerly anticipating something good is part of the joy we experience. He had missed out on it!

Who doesn’t remember—or still experience—the anticipation in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas? Even though a young couples’ wedding might still be weeks or months away, planning and dreaming about how the day will go is a big part of the fun and excitement. Our lives wouldn’t be as fulfilling if everything just happened, and we could never again eagerly anticipate anything. Waiting can be difficult, but if we have the right perspective on life, waiting patiently for good things will extend and enhance our joy when the big day finally arrives.

Plenty of people have wondered why Jesus is taking so long to come back to take his people to be with him in heaven forever. Many have even used his “tardiness” as a reason to scoff at our Christian hope. However, instead of questioning his timing, the apostle Paul encourages us to eagerly await Jesus’ return. For, on that day, he will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body, and we will live with him forever.

As much as we will rejoice that day, it’s a blessing to live in eager anticipation today!

Prayer:
Jesus, help me live each day in eager anticipation of your glorious return. Amen.

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things.
Philippians 3:18,19

It’s All Backward

Winners are winners, and losers are losers. It’s really that simple. If the game is over, and you’ve scored fewer points than your opponent—you lose. For it to be the other way around would just be backward!

But this backward perspective on life is what the apostle Paul proposes in our Bible reading today. Paul recognized that when Jesus died on the cross, it looked like he had lost. But the exact opposite was true—it was on that cross Jesus paid the price for our sins and saved us from the punishment we deserved. Far from losing, Jesus won the victory on the cross.

Sadly, Paul knew that many people reject Jesus precisely because Jesus’ death on the cross looked like a loss. This is why Paul wrote that “many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.” After all, they think we want to be winners, not losers. And to their way of thinking, the cross equals defeat.

But, as Paul explains, those who don’t see and understand the power of the cross will end up falling short when time runs out. “Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.” In other words, in their pursuit of every worldly thing that equals success and victory, in their eyes, won’t be able to save them on the last day. “Their mind is set on earthly things,” Paul wrote. But when Jesus comes again to judge the living and dead, earthly things will have absolutely zero value.

Only Jesus and his cross can save us now and forever. Yes, to this world, it’s all backward. But in the eyes of faith, the cross proclaims one simple message: victory.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me see victory in your cross. Amen.

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.
Philippians 3:17

A Role Model

In the 1990s, basketball superstar Charles Barkley made a commercial for Nike that caused a stir. After a monstrous dunk, he turned to the camera and declared, “I am not a role model.”

His point was that people shouldn’t look up to someone because he can dunk a basketball. He didn’t want kids modeling their lives after entertainers’. He argued that people who serve others in quiet and unassuming ways are the best role models.

The apostle Paul was no entertainer and didn’t get paid the big bucks. He even refused payment for his apostolic work; he did it for free. He got up every day and did what Jesus had called him to do without fame, fortune, or fanfare.

Was his work easy? Hardly. In 2 Corinthians 11, Paul provided a laundry list of things he had endured. He concluded by explaining, “I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches” (2 Co 11:27,28). His life had been far from luxurious.

But what had Paul’s suffering given him? Resilience. Strength. Stamina. Confidence. Those character traits were built on Jesus’ perfect promises and forged in the hot fires of challenging life situations.

And now, Paul could boldly declare, “I am a role model.” He urged the Philippians, “Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.”

But Paul wasn’t really pointing to himself with those words. He was pointing to Jesus, the source of his strength. Paul later explained, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Php 4:13).

Simply put, Paul is the best kind of role model because he kept his eyes on Jesus. We are well served now and forever in following his lead.

Prayer:
Jesus, empower me to fix my eyes on you and your salvation, just like Paul. Amen.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13,14

The Finish Line

When something becomes too hard, we often give up. For example, if the hill we’re climbing on our bike becomes too steep, we may not have the necessary strength to overcome the gravity pulling us back down. This old man hops off and walks it to the top.

What’s true of our physical nature is also true of our spiritual nature. When we find ourselves on some “spiritual hill” facing resistance, we can be tempted to go in the opposite direction to avoid the pain and inconvenience of resistance. Our “spiritual gravity”—also known as our sinful nature—pulls us to whatever is easiest for us, the path of least resistance.

So, how do we overcome the temptation to give up when the spiritual going gets tough? We rely on our Lord Jesus. He is the One who has already won the victory for us by his death on the cross and resurrection from the grave. He who won heaven for us will give us the strength to fight against those things that might sidetrack us on our journey there.

Well, how do athletes overcome the adversity they face? Training, preparation, focus.

This is what the apostle Paul did. He wrote, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Jesus has already won the race for us. Eternal salvation is certain in him. He’s standing at the finish line, waiting to welcome us home.

Prayer:
Jesus, help me focus on the perfect salvation you’ve won for me and give me strength to overcome my daily adversity. Amen.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
Philippians 3:12

Press On

When was the last time you just wanted to give up and throw in the towel? Have you felt that way already two or three times today?

It’s easy to feel this way sometimes. Everyone gets to the point where they’re tempted to give up and call it a day.

Even Jesus felt the weight of the world on his shoulders as he faced the overwhelmingly burdensome task of winning perfect forgiveness and eternal salvation for all sinners. The Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, quoted the future Savior’s thoughts when he wrote, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing at all.”

But Jesus didn’t give up. He pressed on. And what compelled him to show the necessary resilience and to press on? His heavenly Father’s promises. Jesus remembered, “Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand, and my reward is with my God” (Isaiah 49:4). Was it hard? You bet. But his Father’s reward gave him the strength to press on.

The apostle Paul was convinced of this reality, too–even in the midst of his own pain and imprisonment. In pondering the eternal reward guaranteed to him by Jesus, he wrote, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

We can press on, too, no matter how hard it gets, because nothing we face in this world is worth comparing to the glorious and eternal reward that will be revealed to us at the end of life’s race in this dying world (Romans 8:18).

Jesus knows how hard it is, but his faithful promises give us the strength to press on.

Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help me remember that you know my pain so well. And remind me daily that I am more than a conqueror through you. Amen.