URC Daily Devotion 25th September 2019

For the most part, we are probably glad of the civil order we have in the UK. Elsewhere, good people suffer the injustices of corrupt officials and discriminatory laws. 

This passage from Romans does not occur in the three-year Sunday Lectionary cycle; nevertheless, throughout history, these verses have been abused to coerce people into obedience to unjust regimes. Ironically, in this letter, Paul was most likely writing about the Roman authorities, the very same by whose laws he was executed around 10 years later.

The Statement of the Nature, Faith and Order of the URC makes clear the distinction of government of Christ’s Church and the government of the state, and it goes on to say: “Civil authorities are called to serve God’s will of justice and peace for all humankind, and to respect the rights of conscience and belief.”

How can we respond to this? Jesus says to us: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” His call to us is to get involved!

Those involved in law and order are required to swear an oath upon enrolment. As a magistrate, our Judicial Oath includes these words: “I will do right to all manner of people after the laws and usages of this realm, without fear or favour, affection or ill will.”

What else can we do? We can pray. Pray for the police who bravely put themselves in harm’s way. Pray for the judicial office holders who sit in judgement: judges, magistrates, jurors and tribunals’ judiciary. Pray for probation and prison officers who work to rehabilitate and reform offenders. Pray for victim support workers.