There Is No Authority Except From God

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.
Romans 13:1-2

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Cor 14:40) There is an established order in this life.  In every unit of society, there is a defined hierarchy.  It is a fact that all children should learn from their youth because the first experience with this concept occurs in the home.  That child is not born into an environment where he has free reign to do as he pleases.  There are rules and boundaries, and there are consequences if those limits are exceeded.  One of the first words a child will learn is “no”.  Why is that?  Because, that child is born with authority over him.  His fallen, sinful nature instructs him to rebel against that authority, but those that have the rule over him (a.k.a. his parents) are responsible to see that he submits.

It is a sad fact that in our society, parents are increasingly failing to teach their children to submit to authority.  They refuse to discipline when the child rebels.  Spanking has been categorized as unloving and abusive by many modern philosophers, but the truth is that in guiding parents away from proper discipline, they are actually teaching parents to despise their children!  Just listen to Pr 13:24: “He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.”  I don’t think that verse could be any clearer!  Loving parents disciplines!  They teach their children early that they must respect authority.  Our main text tells us why that teaching is so important.  It is because “there is no authority except from God”; therefore, to rebel against any authority over you is in actuality rebellion against God!  It’s no wonder then that Pr 23:13-14 says loving discipline has eternal consequences!  “Do not withhold correction from a child, For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.  You shall beat him with a rod, And deliver his soul from hell.”

So, submission to authority begins in the home.  “Children, obey your parents…” (Eph 6:1) “Wives, submit to your own husbands…” (Eph 5:22) It applies in the workplace.  “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh…” (Eph 6:5) It applies in our relationships to our civil authorities.  “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey…” (Tit 3:1) And, certainly, this concept of authority even applies within the congregation of the Lord.  “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.” (Heb 13:17) Everywhere, God has established order, and the instruction is clear to those that claim to follow Him: obey the authority God has placed over you!

I don’t know that there could be a more fitting lesson during an election year.  What if your candidate isn’t elected?  The instruction remains to obey authority!  God put that individual in that place of power!  What if that person is wicked and ungodly?  Listen to the Lord’s instruction in 1 Pet 2:18: “Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.”  Why?  In the same chapter, we find the answer.  “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake…” (1 Pet 2:13) Again, because God established that authority over you, you must submit to it!  Jesus admitted this truth as He submitted to the one who had power to save His life or condemn Him to death.  He told Pilate, “You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above.”  He submitted knowing that God the Father had placed Pilate over Him!

Christians, we have a responsibility to show the world our love for our heavenly Father by submitting to authority.  And submission does not mean obeying while grumbling and complaining the entire time (even when paying our taxes–see Rom 13:6)!  It’s important that we submit completely–that is with our actions, words, and hearts–if we are to honor God in our submission.  “Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.” (Tit 2:9-10) Jesus lived under one of the most ungodly governments in history, yet He never organized a march on Rome!  His fight was in the spiritual realm.  Christian, don’t lose sight of where the battle actually is!  You can’t fight the real war with natural weapons!  “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Eph 6:10)

Jamie

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