Who struggles with authority? I do. It’s part of our rebellious human nature. But, when you are a follower of Christ, we have agreed to submit to the ultimate authority, God, who is the lover of our soul. Last Wednesday, my son Keanu taught our young adults about obedience to authority, especially when ‘the wrong person is in charge’ citing Romans 13 as the proof text. You should watch it, it was excellent. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyZFlLw8xoU The bottom line, is trust that God is in control. Solomon advised people to keep the command of the king as an oath before God. Practically speaking, we live in the United States of America, wherein its not rebellious to peacefully protest for a redress of grievances. I think Christians can and should do that from time to time. We can choose and elect godly leaders. I wish Christians were better informed. And only rarely, I mean rarely, does it become necessary to do what our founding fathers did, which is to reject Solomon’s advice. They looked at the despotic king George and listed a host of usurpations and abuses, and decided, enough is enough. Their ‘when in the course of human events’ came and they put their lives on the line for the sake of individual liberty and to make right what had gone so wrong. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript It was a hill worth dying upon. They felt it was their duty to God. Amazing!
Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man’s wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam. I say, “Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God. Do not be in a hurry to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?” Ecclesiastes 8:1-4 NASB
Am I in subjection to the governing authorities? How do I respond when the governing authorities have exceeded their authority?
God, as this day begins- what a wonderful country this is. You have blessed America! Our brave and sacrificial heroes were honored yesterday on Memorial Day. We honor those who earned our freedoms- from the early days of the revolution to present. I do desire to be obedient to the authorities in my life. And yet, I must first and foremost be in obedience to You and Your Word. Herein lies the rub. Help me be numbered when necessary with those who refused to compromise my allegiance to You. If persecuted and reviled, I will be as my model and example in all things- like Jesus, who reviled not in return and was willing to bear the cross. Thank you for the freedoms we enjoy, may they last. I will advocate and exercise the rights afforded for as long as they are available.
