Daily Devotional
Submission and Obedience are Not the Same
“And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’”
Mark 12:17
July 27, 2021
Ponder This
Suppose you work for a person and he or she asks you to do something dishonest. Someone asks you to cook the books, to juggle things, to steal for them, and you try to be in submission. Suppose the government enforces upon you an unjust law and asks you to do something that is contrary to the will of God. Suppose the government was to tell us that we could not proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is important to understand that submission is not always the same as obedience. Your ultimate loyalty belongs to God. You’re to render unto Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and unto God the things that belong to God, but never give to Caesar the things that belong to God. Our ultimate authority is God and we must always submit to Him above any other.
Practice This
Make a list of ways you currently are called to honor human authority. Ask God to reveal to you any way you might be honoring people over Him and to help you change your course in this area.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
