QTVOTD: Our witness is more important than our circumstance…

“​Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.” 1 Timothy 6:1 -> me: Over the last several days both Marianne and I have had more and more understanding of God’s plan for us (as a church and as Christians) in this pandemic.  More specifically around our response to Government authorities in regards to guidelines placed on the church. 

What has become such an awesome realization is that you MUST be a reader of God’s entire word in order to see the through-line of His character, will, plans, and purposes for our lives…yes, you can get a lot out of specific verses, but the collating of multiple passages is the primary way we gain understanding and confidence in direction for crazy times like this. 

Here today in 1 Timothy 6:1-2, we see Paul’s instruction to his apprentice about a Christian slave’s respect of his master; even more so when his master is also a believer.  Without going into too much detail, here is what God is revealing to me more and more about our response to authority:

  • Respect all who are in authority [believing and non-believing]
  • Our witness is more important than our circumstance. 

Here we have Paul talking about slaves and we all know that God does not approve of slavery.  He has gone to the greatest length to free us from the slavery to sin by sending His own Son to die on the cross for our sin.  However, Paul is not telling the slaves to mount a revolution to free themselves, no – he is telling them that their witness and testimony should glorify God where they are and not be a reason that God or the teaching of Christian Faith can be slandered. 

Please read Marianne’s post (https://bourlandweb.com/2020/08/01/mariannes-notes-because-we-are-free-we-are-subject) on what the Lord revealed to her this weekend through her reading in 1st Peter.  You will see how complementary our quiet times are.  I am so thankful for God’s sovereign grace to give us these reinforcing messages.

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