Our lives are not just about us but the kingdom of God. We must love and respect each other, focusing on the needs of others and letting go of hatred or resentment. Let us love with the same love that Christ has placed in our hearts, allowing it to cover over a multitude of sins.  Salvation is closer to us now than when we first believed. Therefore, we must be alert and ready, living properly according to the Lord and avoiding anything that takes us away from Christ. Let us put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not allow ourselves to be tempted by the desires of the flesh. We should live with a holy urgency and do nothing that would harm our witness. We must prioritize our faith over distractions that do not bring us closer to God and live our lives with a sense of urgency. Let us remain steadfast in our faith, even when life gets busy, and not let the mundane aspects of life rob us of the gift of Christ.

As believers, we recognize that God has established the government, magistrates, and authorities. Therefore, we show respect in our dealings and abide by the lawful laws. Our response to the authorities should be peaceful, and we should pray for their salvation while also serving as a corrective influence by reminding them that they are appointed by God and must obey Him and His laws. We must also be proactive at all levels where we are called to serve. In rare cases, when all other options have been exhausted, we may need to exercise civil disobedience to stand up in obedience to God. This may include a situation where the magistrate requires us to do something forbidden by God or to refrain from doing something that God commands us to do. Nevertheless, we must always uphold everything that God commands us to do. Scripture: Daniel 3:8-18, Romans 13:1-7

Scripture: Exodus 19:4-20:2 www.redeemerchurchofsouthhills.org