Life On MissionPrøve

I was recently witnessed to at a local mall. The person had such zeal, passion and boldness that I couldn’t interrupt them. The person asked me a simple question, “If I stood before a righteous judge, would he find me guilty of breaking any of God’s rules?” I sheepishly said, “yes.” The person then took the time to describe the judge as strict, jealous and assertive and that I needed to respond quickly or embrace a fiery future. While these characteristics might be true, I also know God to be compassionate, loving and full of mercy.

When it comes to the topic of authority, we allow many of our thoughts about God’s authority to bleed into how we treat other authorities in our lives. Be it parents, bosses, police or community servants. Therefore, if we have a view of God as harsh, abusive and angry, we will likely view other authorities in the same way.

Many of us didn’t start a relationship with God because of fear, but out of a natural response to his gracious love. We found rest, not burden, in a relationship with God.
Politicians, police officers and city officials have been placed in their position by God. So the respect and honor that we have towards God should also be shown towards them. Honoring earthly authorities and God are interconnected and interdependent.

They validate each other.

We’d do well to give those that have authority around us the benefit of the doubt and assume that they are here to protect and serve us; to make us safe and better.
Look at the list of words and think about the first words that come to your mind after reading the list.

Police:
Politicians:
The Mayor:
The President:
Your boss:
Your parents:

There were likely some positive emotions and negative emotions that came out as you read that list. You might need to repent of some attitudes and behaviors from your past. You might even need to apologize. Prayerfully consider how you need to respond and ask God to give you a heart that longs to honor and respect all of the authorities in your life.