GOD’S WORD DAILY

WORD OF THE DAY:
     BE SUBJECT      

          Let every soul be subject unto the
          higher powers. For there is no power but of
          God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
          [ordained: or, ordered]

          Wherefore ye must needs be subject,
          not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.

     Every soul, every person, (Christian and non-Christian alike) needs to be
     subject to the exercised power and authority in civil government. Within the
     Body of Christ, whenever the edicts, laws and proclamations do not contradict
     God's Word, Christians are also to obey these standards as well. [Daniel was
     thrown in the lions' den for disobeying a civic law that made it illegal
     to call upon God or anyone who was not the king.]

     Our first responsibility is in submission is to God. [Matthew 6:33] Jesus is
     the head of the church [Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:15] so we are subject unto
     Him [Ephesians 5:24] and we put on the mind of Christ. If married, the
     woman is subject unto her head, [I Cor.11:3] who is the husband.
     [Ephesians 5:22] Every one is subject to the leaders in the church,
     regardless of position: Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers,
     elders, deacons, ministers, and to each other [Ephesians 5:21].

     We need to be subject for our conscience' sake.

     For example, when I speed, I am aware I am breaking the law. Then when I see
     a policeman, my heart pounds a little faster, I feel guilty and slow down.
     I can't breathe until he's passed to see whether I get caught or not! If
     I was not breaking the law, I would not worry about getting caught and punished
     because I did not do anything wrong.

     When we do good and obey we will be praised.

     I won't get a speeding ticket if I never speed. When I do evil, I will
      be punished or will receive the consequences for breaking the law. For
     example, I broke the speed limit laws and I lost my license as the
     punishment. Now I cannot drive for 30 days.

     The same principles apply within the church. I know not to get drunk, because
     the Bible teaches to stay sober. Hypothetically speaking, let's
     say I get really drunk anyway and my pastor calls me at home while I am
     intoxicated. I cannot hide the fact that my speech is slurred and I am
     out of control. He may not say anything right then, but I know its coming soon,
     perhaps the next day, when I am sober. He reproves me heavily and the
     correction is no fun at all. Or say I am out partying at a restaurant and a
     family of believers walk in and see me acting like a heathen. They reprove me
      (which is no fun) and I receive the just consequences for living
     in darkness (reproof, correction, a bad hangover or whatever).

     I do not want to live with a guilty conscience or a conscience that is continually
     aware of the possibility of "getting caught," and corrected. Let me be subject
     then, to the higher powers, both in the government and within the church,
     (as long as the rules are in alignment with the Bible), for conscience sake. Amen.

     -Carol Kenreigh

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