Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016
SUBMISSION TO EARTHLY AUTHORITY
"Every
person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there
is no authority except from God and those which exist or are established
by God." - Romans 13:1
I can’t think of a more
unpopular word in our independent-minded American culture than
“submission.” But it is a basic teaching of Christianity. And central to
that teaching is submission to earthly authority – the submission to
spiritual leadership in the body of Christ- and submission to government
authority. We’re also called to submit to our employers, supervisors,
and all who are in authority in the workplace. Wives are called to
submit to their husbands. Children are called to submit to their
parents. In situation after situation, we see the teaching in Biblical
Christianity is about submission. But here’s the key: Submission to
earthly authority is for one reason. It is about submission to Jesus
Christ through trusting and obeying His Word.
It is important to realize
that Jesus didn’t teach the disciples that their main goal was to be
revolutionaries; or to defy authority; or to speak truth to power. It’s
just the opposite! As Christians, we are called to willingly submit to
Christ and from that, all kinds of earthly authorities. Not because they
deserve it. Many of them don’t. We may offer suggestions. We may
question if it’s best. We may ask them to reconsider. But in the end, we
submit to Christ when we submit to earthly authority, as long as
earthly authority is not trying to get us to disobey God or do something
contrary to His Word. Then, and only then, do we obey God and not man.
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