2024 07 26

1 Peter 2:17 New King James Version
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

Acts 5:27-32 New King James Version
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, 28 saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!” 29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. 31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Scripture is quite clear that there is a balance of obedience and loyalties between obeying God and honoring our earthly rulers. In this time of political passion, I believe God is calling us to obey Him and honor our earthly rulers. At the time Peter wrote this Nero was king, yet he tells us to honor him. At the time of the Acts passage the Sadducees and Herodians were in charge. Obedience to God comes first and all other obedience is derivative from that primary loyalty. It is because we put God first that we are able to honor our earthly rulers. There is a difference between obeying God and honoring men.

1 Peter 2:18-19 New King James Version
18 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh. 19 For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.
     I found this passage helpful when working under some managers that were difficult.

A Word Received: Ask me how you are to live out your obedience to Me.

Albany Intercessor