DCLM Higher Everyday 17 September 2023 — Submission To Leaders
DCLM Higher Everyday 17 September 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Submission To Leaders
Topic: Submission To Leaders
Text: 1 Peter 2: 13-20
14Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.
15For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
16As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.
18Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
Key Verse: “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” (1 Peter 2: 13,14).
Message
According to Charles Cowman, “Often the crowd does not recognise a leader until he has gone, and then they build a monument for him with the stones they threw at him in life.” Many people do not value their leaders both spiritual and secular until they are no more. Leaders deserve our utmost respect and honour as well as constant prayer for fairness and the fear of God. Obeying the leaders both spiritual and secular is akin to obeying God in as much as they rule in consonance with the will of God. Christian youths should not be among those who are slandering their leaders or starting riots to discredit government, even in the face of injustice, such as persecution.
One of the reasons we should submit to government is because its purpose of establishment – preventing sin and for promoting righteousness. They prevent sin by punishment and encourage righteousness through commendation or reward. When those in authority promote good and prevent sin, they are acting as God’s servants. Obey your leaders.
Quote: Obey your leaders
Challenge: Don’t slander your leaders.
Prayer for today: Help me to pray for my leaders, oh God.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
