Obedience to Authority

Obedience to Authority

This particular subject is quite difficult for me. So, in these times, especially with the recent election, I found myself in Romans 13 again for a little refresher on how I am supposed to act as a christian. If you have not read through this chapter before, or have not done so in a while, I encourage you to do so before finishing this blog. I will be referencing a few verses, but the bulk of the passage I am going to leave that in depth exploring to be had by you.

So, let us start the fun. We are diving right in and I’m not even scared.

[Rom 13:1-2 NLT] 1 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.

I STOP READING RIGHT HERE EVERY TIME!

Every single time my eyes pass over these words I feel like I’m getting smacked in the right in the face. There is so much in me that has to re align, get in place, and be corrected. I am a person that has a little bit of a rebel in me, so when authority doesn’t cut it for me, personally, I tend to not want to do whatever I am being told. This doesn’t really happen to me for the direct authorities in my life, like my manager at work, or my parents (not anymore at least). Where I have the biggest problem is in overarching authorities like our local, state and national governments.

Let me give you an example of something I am talking about. I speed. Whoa whoa whoa, pump the brakes (literally). Before you go to pastor Daniel and tell him that I’m taking corners like Dale Earnhardt, rest assured I don’t drive like that. I’m saying my speedometer usually sits about 5 ticks above where It’s supposed to be.

I know, it doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but let us look at it from a biblical standpoint. In 1 Peter 2:13 It says, 13 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme. So let us look at what my speeding really is. It is sin. For some people that may be a little harsh to say about speeding. But the Bible is clear in many areas that we are to live under the government that rules over us.

Of course I’m not saying do something that is unbiblical if your government were to decree it. Paul even spoke out against bodies of government that were getting it wrong (Acts 23, Thes 1:9-10). I mean even saying Jesus is Lord, clearly would dictate that we answer to the Lord first, then the government, not the other way around.

But an attitude towards the government of “I’m just not going to obey you because the government doesn’t believe in God” is not a valid argument. Jesus says in Matthew 22:21 to give to Caesar what is his. Not implying to disobey just because Caesar didn’t have faith in Jesus.

By the way, earlier when I said I stop reading every time, that is true; but then, after I recover from the face smack and continue reading what Paul wrote, the rest only challenges me just as much. So I encourage you, with the election fresh on your mind, no matter which way you are swayed, read the chapter, learn about obeying your authorities, but most importantly, be transformed by the love that Jesus Christ has for you and I so that even though I speed, there is forgiveness for the one that repents. One step closer to Him everyday. One step at a time, we get there by His grace, His love and His sacrifice. He has redeemed.

P.S.

Study context when Paul wrote this to the roman people. Jews were exiled shortly before this letter, allowed back, then Nero came to Power, then only 260 years later, Christianity was accepted as the religion for the roman empire. Interesting nonetheless.

P.S.S.

Romans 13:7-8 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. 8 Owe nothing to anyone--except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God's law.

Beautiful that the fulfillment of Ch.13 is still Matthew 22:37-40 37 Jesus replied, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”