Government
Devotion 3: Free to Serve
Jeannie Yates
Although it feels like a lifetime ago, I remember so clearly the feeling of my first solo drive after getting my driver’s license: freedom! It was just me, the radio, and my blue 1989 Ford Ranger. It felt like I could go on forever as fast as I wanted, wherever I wanted, but in reality, there was still a speed limit and still a curfew. In order to experience that freedom, I had to submit to my parent’s parameters, the laws of the state, and the rules of the road.
In 1 Peter 2:13-17, we are told, “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good, you should silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.” We are called to submit, yield, obey, and honor those that God has established as the governing authority (Romans 13:1). As Christians, we represent Christ to this lost and fallen world. How we show respect and respond to authority can be a direct reflection of the condition of our hearts. As Peter mentions, by “doing good,” we can silence the arguments of those who lack wisdom.
However, it goes a little deeper than just our words. A juxtaposition is defined as “two things being seen or placed close together with contrasting effect.” Did you see it in the passage you just read? Right at the beginning, Peter says to “be subject… to the emperor as supreme, or governors.” A little bit later, he tells us to “live as people who are free.” How can I submit and still have freedom? The answer comes right after that. We are called to be “living as servants of God.” In order to be free, we have to serve. We also see this in Matthew 20:26-28 when Jesus says, “But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
How good are we at showing honor to our governing officials? Even when we disagree, we can honor our government by regularly praying for them and seeking ways to serve them with kindness. Let us not forget that God is the One in control. Romans 13:1 tells us, “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” We can trust His authority and His plan. We can choose to use our freedom to serve others. Galatians 5:13 says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”