Honor Civil Authority

Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. —2 John 1:8 (ESV)

Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God. Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself. For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority? Then do what is good, and they will praise you, because they are God’s servants working for your own good. But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real. They are God’s servants and carry out God’s punishment on those who do evil. For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God’s punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.

That is also why you pay taxes, because the authorities are working for God when they fulfill their duties. Pay, then, what you owe them; pay them your personal and property taxes, and show respect and honor for them all. —Romans 13:1-7 (GNT)

How do we honor our civil leaders?

- Our honor cannot be

Reveal Answer

Keep your behavior excellent among the [unsaved] Gentiles [conduct yourself honorably, with graciousness and integrity], so that for whatever reason they may slander you as evildoers, yet by observing your good deeds they may [instead come to] glorify God in the day of visitation [when He looks upon them with mercy]. —1 Peter 2:12 (AMP)

- Leave the

Reveal Answer

and consequence to God

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? —James 4:12 (NIV)

Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king. —1 Peter 2:17 (AMP)

Reveal Answer

for them

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live. —1 Timothy 2:1-3 (MSG)

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