Day 27 – Your Speedometer is a Reflection of Your Heart – Julie Earl
Romans 13:1-7
When I was in my late twenties, the Lord lovingly told me that my speedometer was a reflection of my heart. What do you mean? I asked.
“Your heart isn’t honoring the authority I established,” He spoke to my thoughts.
But I only go five miles over the speed limit, I replied.
“What is your reason for going five miles over the speed limit?”
Because I know I won’t get in trouble if I keep it at just five miles over.
“Is that what your motivation should be?”
No, Lord, I sheepishly responded. I had always been a conscientious person and obeyed authority in other areas, but I had convinced myself it was okay not to honor the speed limits since most people didn’t and the police wouldn’t stop me at just five miles over.
“Everything you do needs to be done out of love and honor for Me and for others, and you aren’t honoring Me when you aren’t honoring the authorities I have set up.”
Romans 13:1-4 came to mind: “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good.” When we disobey the law, we are disobeying God because those who have been set up to govern us are in actuality God’s servants to do us good.
“Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience” (Romans 13:5). God doesn’t want fear of punishment to be our motivation. He wants our motivation to be love – love for Him and love for others. So when we choose to honor the law and go the speed limit, we are really expressing a soft heart and our love for God!
Certainly there are exceptions in which governments become so evil (like Hitler) that they can no longer be obeyed in everything they ask. But if a law is in place that doesn’t defy God’s laws, then we need to obey it even if we don’t like it or agree with it. We all believe we are over-taxed, but even in that we need to honor God and claim all our income and pay all our taxes. In doing so, we are honoring God. “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor” (Romans 13:6-7).
When my three kids were each learning to drive, I reminded them that not only do they honor God when they go the speed limit, but they get daily practice in doing what is right rather than going with “the flow.” Character grows when you are going 65 and everyone else is going 70!
Julie Earl with Crazy About You Ministries (CAYM)
All Scripture is taken from the New International Version 1984 edition unless otherwise noted.