Bible Reading: Job 40; 1 Pet. 2:9-16
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;” – 1 Peter 2:13 KJV
The bible says the love of money is the root of all evil. ( 1 Tim 6:10). This is one area we need to be extra careful in our Christian race. For every Christian working whether as an employee or self-employed, one area to check oneself is to what extent, you comply with the tax laws of the country. Quite a number of people focus on what other people can see in their lives but pay less attention to what could be hidden. It is important that close attention is paid to any area of a Christian life that puts the integrity to test. When you fill your tax form, do you declare your total income knowing that it will imply higher tax or do you under-declare your income like a number of people do, thus undermining their integrity, and consequently the Christian Faith.
1 Peter 2:13 KJV says “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme.” Which aspect of the ordinance of men do you willfully disobey because it will accrue some benefits to you but you know that you cannot face Jesus Christ as his disciple to say boldly, what you do?
If we should submit indeed to the ordinance of men, we will put to silence the ignorance of foolish men as stated in 1 Peter 2:15 KJV “For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:”
How else do we show indeed that we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation and a peculiar people as stated in 1 Peter 2:9 if we do things the way of the world using the wisdom of the world? We need to show indeed we are different from others by our deeds and not only by our speech or teachings? That is part of the price we need to pay to win the Prize of heavenly kingdom.
Prayer: Almighty God, your Word says that obedience is better than sacrifice. I therefore make a pledge to obey the laws of the land as long as it is not contrary to your word. Please help me God.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero