Why Submit to Authority?

Scripture reading: 1 Peter 2:18-25

Focus verse: Matthew 27:32 "Along the way, they came across a man named Simon, who was from Cyrene, and the soldiers forced him to carry Jesus’ cross."

Jesus is our example.  Jesus submitted to the authority of those who condemned him to die.   He allowed them to lead him to the cross without fighting back.  Because Christ suffered for us, we should also suffer patiently for the sake of God's will.  Christ was our example.  He did not sin or tell a lie.  When he was insulted, he did not insult his persecutors.  In fact, he blessed them and asked God to forgive them.  When he suffered at their hands, he did not threaten to pay them back, but put his trust in God the true judge.

The suffering that Christ endured, even unto death, made it possible for us to live in righteousness.  It is because of His wounds that we can be healed from our sins.  He was raised from the dead so that we can walk in the newness of life.  Why submit?  Because God commands it here as well as Romans 13.

The Roman soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross of Jesus.  He obeyed.  God does not condone or approve of poor authority, but we are responsible for how we react to it.  We are called to follow the example of Christ as we walk in the new life.  If we patiently endure suffering from a husband, boss, slave owner, or soldier that we don't deserve, then God says that we will be blessed for it in verse 20. 

Happy Easter!
Page Johnson
Interlocking Ministries

Why Do Believers Suffer?

Scripture Reading: Job 1

Focus Verses: "Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."   John 9:1-3

When God created the first man and woman, and put them in the Garden of Eden, it was a perfect environment without troubles or sin.  Some day in the future, Jesus is going to take every believer to heaven where there will be no more sorrow or pain.  Heaven will be a perfect environment just like in the beginning.  But where are we now?  We are in this middle period of time when our human nature of sin and Satan, with his demons, are trying to take control of this earth.  This period of sin, trials, suffering, and tribulation is actually brought on by our own disobedience of God.

The Bible has a lot to say about suffering.  We read that God can work His will for our lives through our suffering.  When I think of suffering in the Bible the first name that comes to my mind is Job.  We see that even though everything was taken from Job he did not turn his back on God.  Job 1:22 "In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong."  James even says we should be joyful when we have trials.  James 1:2-4  "My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. "  We know that when hard times come God is just getting us ready for eternity.  Suffering will either make us bitter or better.

Sometimes suffering is because of our own mistakes or choices.  Sometimes it is because of someone else's choice.  But other times, it is just because of the natural ways of this world.  The Bible tells us that we will have trouble. Jesus said,  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

In our focus verses today Jesus said that suffering is allowed so that the power of God can be seen in our lives.  All of us will go through suffering at some point in our lives.  Some of us will go through more than others.  I don't have a good answer for why a child dies.  Or why do wars happen.  Or why does someone go through great financial loss.  But I do know that God loves His children and not a one of them are lost.  You have so much to look forward to if you are a child of God.  Pray that your suffering will make you better.  

Romans 8:18  "Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will give us later."

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries

Why Should a Christian be a Missionary?

Scripture Reading: John 4: 7-26, 39

Focus Verse: Mark 16:15  Jesus said, "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature".

We have learned over the past few devotions that the task of a missionary is to tell the Gospel.  We also learned that the person to whom a missionary tells the Gospel can be anyone.  Today we will look at the reason why a missionary should take the Gospel to everyone.  As we see in our focus verse, it is because Jesus told us to.  But I think another reason should be, if we love people then we will want to share the good news with them.

Jesus is probably the best example of that.  In John 4 Jesus had a meeting with a woman at a well.  Jesus knew of this woman's history and all the sin that she had committed, but He loved her any way.   Jesus knew the heart of this woman, that she was repentant.  Jesus not only loved her but forgave her sin.  There is no better feeling here on earth than to know that your sins are forgiven.   I am sure glad Jesus loves me in spite of my sin. Every Christian is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, because we are doing what He commands.  He has commanded us to preach the Gospel.  People will never know the forgiveness of sin unless we tell them.  That is why I continue to go back to Kenya, because there are so many more people that need to hear this good news of salvation.

Maybe you have never put your faith and trust in Jesus.  Maybe you have never had your sins forgiven.  You can do that right now by praying to God and asking Jesus to come into your life and forgive you of your sins.  He will do it immediately.  After you pray, tell a Christian friend what you have done.  They will be able to encourage you in your new life in Christ.

Bobby Johnson
Interlocking Ministries