Honoring God for the Long Haul
Romans 13:5-7 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For the same reason you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 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. (ESV)
Application Thoughts:
- There is not a hierarchy in the church. We are all equal at the foot of the cross.
- Not everyone can be up front; some have to be in the background. How wonderful it is for someone to testify that they get energy from making someone else shine. These are the people who don’t get the immediate honor, yet it is due them.
- God is not anti-government. God is not an anarchist. God is not a republican or democrat. God is sovereign and in control and it honors him when we are obedient and honest citizens. For he is the one that brings kings to power and takes them out.
- God put governors and local magistrates in charge to govern his people and all people. Jesus said, “give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, but give to God what is God’s.”
- However, as a believer we ultimately must give God our devotion when the law of the land is not godly. Daniel is a good example of someone who honored God even though the law said not to.
After 9/11 it became socially acceptable and politically correct to give God the honor that was due Him. At the same time respect and honor for police officers and firemen have likewise increased. In fact after every tragedy, people tend to give God honor but how long does that last? It seems that as the years have gone by the honor of God has diminished. It is refreshing to see the honor not diminish for police officers and firemen, but it must sadden the heart of God to see His name being used as a trinket in hard times. As we live our lives we need to be mindful to honor those around us, they are put into place by God. But our biggest devotion must go to God and do it for the long haul and not neglect it.
Submitted by church staff members Greg Despres, Dave Allen, Bob Millard and Angela Spreadbury
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