Scripture to Read: 1 Timothy 6:1
God has been richly pouring His Word into us as we have been walking through 1 Timothy. This week we will examine 1 Timothy 6:1-10. God begins 1 Timothy 6:1 with an admonition to slaves/bondservants/bond-slaves (employees, anyone under someone else’s authority) to make sure that they treat their master (boss, employer, the person in authority over them) with the highest respect. We need to note here that God does not say only treat the master who is nice to you with respect. God also does not say only treat the Christian master with the highest respect. God does say that no matter who the person might be in authority over you, as a follower of Christ, you must treat them with the highest honor and respect. Then God tells us the reason. We must treat those in authority over us with respect so that God’s Name, and everything that is taught about God, is not spoken against. Now, what if the person in authority over us asks us to do something that is in total contradiction to God and His Word? If anyone in authority asks us to do something that would dishonor our Lord, then we submit to God first and we reject what that authority has asked us to do. God is always to be honored above everyone, so we must make sure we honor Him first at all times. But as we honor those in authority over us that also honors God and His Word. We must submit to God first, so we willingly submit to the authorities in our lives.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you about submitting to the authorities in your life?
2. How are you honoring God through your submission to authorities and how are you treating them with high honor?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!