Remind your people to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good.
Devotional Text
Even before we become Christians, many of us think we are “good.” The Word of God, however, clearly states the contrary. At one time, all of us “were foolish and disobedient. We were misled by others and became slaves to many wicked desires and evil pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy. We hated others, and they hated us” (Titus 3:3). In His kindness and love, God saved us, washed us in His blood, and renewed us in the Holy Spirit. His goodness to us made us good. Now, because of that goodness living in us, we devote our lives to doing what is good (v. 8). Doing good includes submitting to those in authority, and living an obedient, gentle, humble, and peaceable life (v. 2). As we follow these guidelines, we will live productive lives, devoting ourselves to providing for daily necessities and the needs of others (v. 14). The central theme of the Psalms is the goodness of the Lord. Psalm 100:5 puts it this way: “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” Let us enjoy His goodness today and rejoice that He has changed us into someone “good.” God is good all the time, and so should we be!