I
admit that I have authority issues. My character is such that I
question the "why" of everything and
choose what I want to obey.
However, I do obey those in authority not for fear of consequences from
those authorities but voluntarily as obedience to God. The Scriptures
found in the Bible are the Word of God and therefore the final authority
over creation.
"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." Romans 13:1-2
Something few people notice in this chapter of scripture is that nowhere
does it say that we should trust in the government or those in
authority. Our trust must always be in God. Humans are not reliable
enough to trust. As I have posted many times, trust is only reliable
when interests align. When interests diverge trust disappears. The
interest of those in government do not often align with the interests of
the people, even in America. The government interests are first and
foremost founded on its own preservation and expansion of its power. No
government will ever sacrifice itself or its interests for the sake of
the people. Nevertheless, we are still living in a time when we can
voice our disagreement with the government and seek legal redress for
our grievances without disobeying the authority of the government.
Never forget though that regardless of what this scripture says there are plenty of other scriptures that describe people of God defying earthly authorities when those authorities try to force them to violate God's authority.
1) Daniel defying the King of Babylon
2) Elijah defying Ahab and Jezebel
3) Peter and John defying the Sanhedrin (refusing to stop preaching in Jesus' name.)
Obedience and trust are not the same.
Obey those in authority until they call for disobeying God.
Choose carefully which earthly authorities and which people you may trust recognizing that common interests can change over time.
"Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves." Romans 13:1-2
Never forget though that regardless of what this scripture says there are plenty of other scriptures that describe people of God defying earthly authorities when those authorities try to force them to violate God's authority.
1) Daniel defying the King of Babylon
2) Elijah defying Ahab and Jezebel
3) Peter and John defying the Sanhedrin (refusing to stop preaching in Jesus' name.)
Obedience and trust are not the same.
Obey those in authority until they call for disobeying God.
Choose carefully which earthly authorities and which people you may trust recognizing that common interests can change over time.
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