1 Peter 2:12-17 Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

This morning reminds me of our responsibility, as Christians, to our civil authority. We are to be lights. We are to be subject. We are to submit ourselves to their ordinances. We are to pray for them. And Peter says that we are to honor them. Let us remember this today, as lights and examples to our community. Let us not pray for their death. Let us not defy their requests (unless it clearly violates Scripture). Let us give honor to whom honor is due, tribute to whom tribute, and custom to whom custom.