DCLM Daily Manna 8 May 2026: Christian Submission
Key Verse: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the ling, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of eveildoers, and for the praise of them that do well – 1 Peter 2:13
BIBLE READING: 1 Peter 2: 13-17
Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, 14 or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— 16 as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. 17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
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Elizabeth Elliot, the Christian missionary, author and speaker, once noted that, “Throughout the Bible…when God asked a man to do something, methods, means, and specific directions were always provided. The man had one thing to do: Obey”
The writer of today’s passage highlights two areas of critical concern for the Christian in a dark, corrupt, and perverted world. Unarguably, the whole world lies in wickedness, yet the believer is called to a life of obedience and submission to our societies’ rules and regulations. Grace in a believer makes him or her demonstrate Christlike virtues of love, peaaceableness and respect for order. The haughty spirit that makes a sinner misbehave and disregard others has been crushed at the cross. True believers see others as offspring of the heavenly Father and, therefore, relate with them as He would that they do to Him. In the same vein, the Apostle admonishes. saints to respect and submit to the laws of the land and constituted authorities put in place for the smooth running of the society, and to ensure our corporate existence. Nonetheless, governors must rule with the fear of God, not oppressing the citizens. They should treat people as fellow humans, knowing they also have a Master in heaven who, without respect of persons, would judge all men without partiality.
Jesus and His disciples paid tax while on earth. We must follow His example. Christians should pay taxes, rates, utility bills, and development levies. And as responsible citizens, we do not participate in acts that may lead to the breakdown of law and order. That would be unprofitable to us and could make men blaspheme the holy name of the Lord. Moreover, as role models, believers must do nothing detrimental to the survival, growth and progress of the organisations or institutions they belong. Tehya re to team up with those in authority to uplift the ethos of their communities.
It contradicts terms if believers live contrary to God’s word. The disciples were first called Christians because people in Antioch saw the practical demonstration of Christlikeness in them. Many who profess faith in Christ today major in charisma and are minor in standing with God, and never replace holiness and Christian conduct. After all, the ass of Balaam spoke in the clear human language, yet it remained an animal, not a man. Let your life reflect the Gospel that you preach and embody.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
To contradict God’s will is to blaspheme His name.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Samuel 23-24
DCLM Daily Manna 8 May 2026
