A Knight's Code

Scripture: Respect everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17

Observation: Peter is stressing that the way we treat others in life reveals our true freedom, and silences our critics. If we claim Christ, then the way we relate to authorities and others in our lives ought to reflect that. If we have truly been set free, we will show it by submission.

Application: These words stick out to me as a code of conduct, a creed. Something that would be emblazoned on the shield of a knight. They are brief and yet cover so much about our relationships in life. My boys and I have a code of conduct for men in our house, our knight’s code. But I like this as well. These are 4 truths I need to teach my kids. Respect everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor authorities in your life. I think this might be our next family time devotional.

Prayer: God, help me model these attitudes towards these 4 groups in my life. Please instill these in my kids. Help me lead them towards true freedom through submission.

He Did Not Save Himself

Scripture: He saved others; let him save himself…If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! … Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us! Luke 22:35,37,39

Observation: Jesus deliberately chose to not save himself at the cross. He would not save himself to prove a point. He would not save himself to confirm his identity. He would not save himself to stop his pain. He would not save himself to stop the suffering of others. Jesus Christ was committed to the Father’s will, and just because he could save himself did not mean he would. His focus was to do the will of his father.

Application: As someone who likes to fix things, I am often tempted to “save myself” in many situations. To prove that I was right, to say I told you so, to exercise my authority, or to maintain control. And in many cases, I have the power to do so. But just because I can does not mean I should. I need to be crystal clear on what my Father’s will is, and do that. Saving myself in this way cannot trump his plans. Knowing God’s will helps me maintain focus and gives me freedom from the need to save myself. I can do what he said and let the jeers, the suffering, the consequences go. They are not my job to fix.

Prayer: God, help me keep my eye on the ball, to know when to stand and when to submit. To not be concerned about the opinions of others, or try to save myself. My salvation in a situation is not my job, it is yours. My job is to do the will of my father who has sent me. So help me know what that is. Thank you for the utter commitment of Christ upon the cross. He was able to save me because he did not save himself.

Is it Okay to Ask for My Will Be Done?

Scripture: While he was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Luke 5:12

Observation: Such a simple statement of faith. The man believes that Jesus can heal him; what he does not know is if Jesus wants to heal him. For this leper, the only limit is God’s will, not his power. Not knowing what the will of God is, he simply asks for his own will—to be healed.

Application: I had someone ask me this week about God’s will. Outside of clear passages from the word, we don’t always know what God’s will is. In these cases, what do we do? When we do not know God’s will, it is okay to ask God for our will to be done. God still has the right to say yes, no, or wait. When we take an attitude of reverence and dependence like this leper, it is okay to ask for our will until he reveals his will.

Prayer: God, let me be bold in my requests for the things I want to see happen in my life. You always get the last word, and I submit to your will. But when I don’t know your will, I’ll ask you for mine.