ICS Daily Devotions
Peace with Church Leaders and the Governing Authorities
Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV) Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
There will be opportunities for us to disagree with the church leaders or the Pastor when we are in a church. God has placed spiritual leaders in church to lead, pastor and manage the sheep. There is a need for submission when we disagree with the strategy and direction because submission is only required if we have differences. There will be no peace in the relationship if we allow strife to develop in the body of Christ. We need to bear in mind that the message of the gospel is sacred. The strategy, methods of outreach, the development and how the church should be governed can vary. In order to pursue peace in the body of Christ, we need to walk in the Spirit to love, be real and upfront in our communication and refuse to allow the devil to divide and conquer. Spiritual maturity is not by how eloquent, knowledgeable, capable or anointed we are with the spiritual gifts but is based on how much fruit of the Holy Spirit we exhibit in our lives like love, joy and peace towards God and people.
Romans 13:1-3 (NKJV) Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil….. Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
God has placed and appointed governing authorities in every country so that there will be peace in the country. Every country will have its own set of law to govern the land and it will be distinctive to the country. There is no perfect country because we live in a broken world. Christians are taught to be good citizens in every country that we reside. It is difficult to preach the gospel when there is chaos in the country. We are able to preach the gospel effectively when there is peace in the land. Therefore, Christians are not to stir up civil unrest but to advocate and pray for peace in the country so that they will be able to meet as a congregation and to preach the gospel freely. The believers are supposed to be known as peace makers and a blessing in the society.
God has given the kind of peace that the world cannot offer. It is a kind of peace, calm and tranquil in our hearts that will help us to weather through life challenges. It will also enable us to pursue peace with the people whom He has placed us with in society.
Sermon Series: Peace – Fruit of the Holy Spirit
