Vital signs- Friday, July 2nd, 2021

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.”

(1 Peter 2:13-14)

Those who are God-fearing Americans will also be law-abiding Americans. We will submit ourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, to the laws we like and to the laws we do not like. In every law that does not contradict the Law of God, we are to be submissive. There is a higher power, and if the laws of man absolutely contradict the Law of God, then we must do what the apostles did in Acts 5, when they looked at those who commanded them no longer to preach, and they said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Consider Daniel, who prayed when the king forbade prayer and got in trouble. But on other matters, Daniel was an exemplary citizen and there was nothing that could be said against Daniel. A Christian is to obey every rule of man for the Lord's sake. They ought not to look at us as renegades and lawbreakers. Instead, others ought to look at us as the best and most productive citizens in this land.

• In what way do we tell others the truth about God when we seek to live as godly citizens who obey the law?

• Have you ever faced the decision to obey God or men? How did you respond?

This week, seek renewed commitment to living as a godly citizen in your community for the glory of God.