We have made it to the end of a second week living mostly at home. Government has asserted authority in this space with Covid running wild. The impact to the economy is starting to set in. My employer sent notification that all salaried employees will have reduced pay by 20% going forward. I am grateful to still have a job and a paycheck as I know many who have lost their jobs or the sales have evaporated to the point that there is no paycheck for the job at all. This coming Sunday morning I am hosting small groups over video and audio calls. It is good to see friends even if just on a video call. I miss everyone.
Government has Attention for Covid
With the economy on standstill all eyes are turning to the government authority regarding Covid. The president and governors are holding daily briefings. And we all wait for what looks like another 14 days isolated and cutoff from daily community life. This all begs the question for me and for my fellow citizens. Do we listen, trust, and obey the government?
Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:13-17 ESV
Responsible to Government Authorities
Peter in his letter to the church was reminding them that they were responsible to the authorities. If the government authorities say stay home because of Covid then I should stay home. Seems simple enough however I know who these authorities are. They are the likes of President Trump, Representative Pelosi, and our local state governors. My respect for many of these self-serving political people is not high. Yet God tells me I need to follow their orders as a citizen of this country as a matter of conscience at the very least.
Who has what Authority
God operates on a model of authority. God is the highest authority. As a child I submitted to the authority of my parents. I submit to the authority of my employer. I submit to the authority of my pastor. And I also submit to the authority of the government. The government I submit to for all its faults is a gentle loving organization compared to the Roman government that Peter asked the church to submit. Whatever I think of personalities running the show there is no way the current government today is more corrupt that the government of Rome with the likes of Nero running the show. So if this could be said in their time the it is doubly true today.
So, I continue to stay home honoring the request of the government authorities regarding Covid.
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Titus 3:1-2 ESV
