My generation loves to break free from authority. We fantasize about revolutions. We assume we can run the ship more efficiently than others.
I’m more guilty of this than I’d like to admit. I criticize those in power. I complain about how situations are handled.
One problem is that our culture embraces the rebel outlook. It’s cool to disobey our leaders. What if we are wrong though? What if we are called to submit to our bosses, parents, teachers, and the government?
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist
have been instituted by God”
Romans 13:1
Since becoming a Christian, I’ve learned to submit (sort of) to my “godly” authorities in the church. However, I’ve treated the not-so-godly authorities as my enemy and as though I’m not subject to their rule. WRONG! Scripture plainly states that all authority is placed by God and we are to submit.
We don’t get to decide who we are in subjection to. To rebel against earthly authority is actually to rebel against God. Satan thought he could do God’s job and we all know how that turned out.
That’s hard to swallow. What about all of the horrible decisions our leaders make? Doesn’t seem fair does it?
The reality is that God doesn’t honor those who rebel against his leaders. God will judge them, for they will be held accountable for their acts. That is not our place to judge them.
Even Jesus submitted to authority. He submitted to the Father’s will (Luke 22:42) as well to earthly leaders (Matthew 22:21).
Let us learn from the best Teacher and submit to our authorities. To do anything else is to become an enemy of God.
I am an enemy then.