Thought for the Day

Verse 21 - This verse makes it clear that we are to give reverential fear to God. God is the one who set the authority structures in the earth; therefore we should honor those positions. He set government authority over cities and countries, ministry order over the church, and parental order over families. It was God who created the home and put the husband as head of it. He put the offices of the five-fold ministry over the church with the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers as the leaders. He also wanted for Old Testament Israel, as the first nation led by God, to be an example of His leadership over a group of people. God's plan in the earth is one of order, and therefore He expects us to honor the offices and positions of earthly leaders who rule in authoritative roles. Anarchy and rebellion are acts that are motivated by the devil. (There is a Biblical and proper way to deal with those in authority who abuse their positions; however, it is not revolt and anger that has a mob mentality behind it.) "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. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil" (Romans 13:1-4).

God set the five-fold ministry of the offices of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers over the church for leadership. "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12). It was God who established the family unit and set the husband as the head of it. "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it" (Ephesians 5:22-25).

Verse 22 - Today's verses also entreat us to avoid rebellious and double-minded people who are unstable and keep changing their loyalties, taking first one side then another of an issue. These are unstable in all of their ways (James 1:5-8). Those who are given to changing loyalties will suddenly come to ruin. Punishment could come as a judgment for breaking God's laws, or it could come as a penalty from a ruler for breaking the law of the land, or it might be both.