ERASTUS
Christians in Government
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| A Latin inscription on a marble paving stone at Corinth, Pic, Credit. Wikiepedia |
Politics is a dirty business. How often have you heard
those word?
But government service can be as much a ministry as serving in
the local church. Paul said those who serve in positions of authority are
“God’s minister to you for good” (Romans 13:4). The Mayor of the town is
as much God’s appointee as the pastor of the church.
NAME: “Beloved”
DATE: 1st Century AD
IDENTIFICATIONS: Corinth’s city treasurer, director of public
works in Paul’s day.
STORY LINE: Erastus was a city official who sent greetings to
Rome
READ IT IN THE BIBLE: ROMANS 16: 21-27
Tucked away in the list of those who sent greetings along with
Paul to the Christians at Rome was a government official. In some
translations he is called a Chamberlain,” which originally was a royal official
in charge of the private quarters of the king. But with time. Chamberlains
took on other official duties as well. Perhaps that’s how Erastus became
the treasurer of his hometown, Corinth (Romans 16: 23).
In 1929 archaeologists from the American School of
Classical Studies found a Latin inscription on a marble paving stone at Corinth
with the name Erastus on it. Whether it was the same man or not we cannot
tell, but Paul’s friend apparently was well known to the believers in Rome.
The fact that Erastus cold serve the Corinthian government and
the Lord
at the same time is not surprising. God never intended
politics to be a dirty business. Government
service has always been honorable when it honors God. Perhaps if more
Christians like Erastus entered government service, politics wouldn’t be such a
dirty business.
Take some time today to pray for the leader of your nation, your
local government, and your town. And pray for your city treasurer too.
You might just be praying for another Christian like yourself.
—
Dr. Woodrow Kroll
(Former President
Back to the Bible)
Source: Back to the Bible Intl.
Confident Living Magazien
Dr. Woodrow Kroll
PS:
This post is the part of 2014 A to Z Blog Challenge
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