Submitting to Civil Authorities

Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good. For it is God's will that you silence the ignorance of the foolish people by doing good. As God's slaves, live as free people, but don't use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. Honour everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the Emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-17

Isn't it interesting that we must submit to every human authority, because of the Lord. He desires it. He desires that we behave well.

By doing good we silence the ignorance of foolish people. I think that when we rail against our government because they are lenient on certain ethnic groups or hard on others, we can set ourselves up as judge and jury and give them a tongue lashing. Whilst we in the west live in a democracy, it does not mean we can set ourselves up as judge and jury over those we have chosen to lead us.

I am conscious that in my own city our council have voted to give the Muslim community freedom to establish a community centre. Fear mongering has already claimed this as false and that they are establishing a church. One councillor actually stood and said, " even if this was a church, I would support the move." 

We are troubled by what is put out there in the media about the Muslims. Some say that they are determined to undermine communities, others do not agree. I think only God knows the answers and it is for us to honour and pray. Until I am told by God there is a problem I will pray and trust Him to direct my leaders. Amen!

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