I Peter 2:11-17 “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
II Corinthians 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
I Timothy 2:1-2 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
In the last two weeks, we began our journey into 2023. Also, our nation began its journey under the legislative leadership of the 118th Congress. Thus, it is a perfect week to reflect upon our relation to the Lord, to one another, and to our leaders. I Peter 2 gives a wonderful dose of advice in doing so.
Christians have a critical role in our society and must soberly live up to our responsibilities. We are to live with honesty and righteousness. And regardless of the circumstances, we are to honor all men and pray for them, love one another, and fear God. In relation to our leaders, we are to submit to them, pray for them, and honor them.
Doing so requires a Godly spirit and a yielded heart, especially when we are belittled for our beliefs, criticized for our convictions, and concerned about our country’s course. Yet, doing so silences those who are ignorant. It also gives the world and our leaders an opportunity to see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. After all, we are directed to be ambassadors for Christ.
Prayer is an essential component to the fulfillment of the elements listed above. That includes individual prayer for our country and our leaders, and collective prayer for the same. A few weeks ago, I challenged American Christians to use the model of Supreme Prayer to replicate and multiply (https://prayatlunch.us/replication-and-multiplication/). I’m now asking for a favor that naturally flows from that challenge. Please let me know how you are implementing that challenge in your life, and if able send pictures of you doing so (plusgroupsus@gmail.com). I will use these to further encourage others as we collectively strive for the substantial impact amplified by I Peter 2 and the other verses listed above.
PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR ABILITY TO IMPLEMENT SUCH BIBLICAL DIRECTION IN OUR RELATION TO GOD, TO OTHERS, AND TO OUR LEADERS. So is the will of God.
