ROMANS 13:1-7 SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY To be a loyal follower of Christ does not mean I have no responsibility to those in authority in the town, state and country where I live. I am called upon as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ to submit to the laws of society where I live or in the places I may visit. Sin is lawlessness. Lawlessness is an attitude of spirit that rejects and refuses control apart from one's own self-interest. God Himself has appointed and put in place those who are in authority to stop lawlessness. I may not be pleased with the persons who are in the place of leadership, but I am obligated to pray for them and submit to them. As a result of prayer on their behalf, my loyalty and responsibility to God may not be compromised. Any disobedience to those in authority is only allowable in order to follow my higher loyalty to God and His will - not for my own personal reasons.
The teaching of headship begins here in the public practice of believers. Government authority is ordained by God. Leadership in the assemblies of God's people is raised up by the Holy Spirit of God to rule the people of God in an orderly way. This God-ordained authority is appointed in homes where responsible authority is given to the husband.
If I regard myself above legal authorities in earthly matters, not only will I be guilty of lawlessness as regards to the government, but I will bring judgment from God because I am rejecting what He established. The things that my conscience may dictate are those things that are spiritual. The law cannot control my conscience. Quiet subjection to legal authority is a Christian virtue that should be exemplified by my life and attitude toward governments. Satan will stir up opposition to unjustly oppose the Gospel and those who follow the Lord Jesus Christ. But the general practice of the law of the land is to maintain order among the citizens who live in that place. If, and when, the laws of the land make it impossible to follow the ways and will of the Lord, then it is appropriate for me to leave and seek a place to yield to the Supreme Authority.
It is part of my Christian testimony to follow the laws of the land so I will not misrepresent the Lord Jesus Christ. I do not have to fear those who enforce laws if I obey those laws. My submission to the laws and law- enforcement officers will be for my own conscience's sake as well as for commonsense fear of those in authority.
In a similar way I am to submit to paying taxes to those who levy them. It is my hope that those funds will be used for the right reasons, but there are those who have been designated to make those decisions. My responsibility is to pay what I owe the country on whose roads I drive, on whose law enforcement officers I depend, on whose armies defend my rights and the place I live, and the servants who work for the well- being of the citizens. Those who levy the dues at the custom office have a God-given right to do that. I must conscientiously show the appropriate regard or those who hold those offices and those who wear the uniform of designated authority. The "sword" of their authority is evidence of the right they have to enforce the laws they represent. So, I am to regard them with respect. Not only those are representatives of the government am I to submit to with genuine respect, but also to those who are holding a place of honor because of their work, their position and/or their ability. Certain callings in society do deserve a higher honor than others, and as a Christian I am not to despise them, but honor them.
Often there are around me, things with which I don't agree. I am not always happy with laws, and even "the powers that be." But as a citizen I have a position, and One I represent too. I know there are those who only hear, "The Gospel according to you."
I must take care to not break the laws or often be heard to complain. Because in my role as a Christian citizen I represent Jesus' name. People watch what I do, hear what I say, and form an opinion of me - And by that opinion they may make a decision about Christ by what in me they see.
The way I drive, the things I prize, even the way I obey the laws - Have a direct reflection on my unseen Lord and my commitment to His cause. His desire is to universally bless mankind with His offer of His great salvation. The laws we live by in daily life are lessons to keep us from condemnation.
It may seem to some we don't need the authority God has ordained in the nation - Or we don't have to fear those who lead, or those of a higher station. But the facts are these, God has established this order that people may come to Him. And for me to ignore laws, taxes and custom, is to stumble others by my willful sin.
"O Holy God, my Father: I do recognize before Thee today that I have at times been wrong in criticizing those in authority. I confess to Thee this morning my sin, and ask for Thy help and grace to look positively upon where I am and what is going on around me. My prayer is that these who lead may learn to fear Thee and not allow things to happen here to hinder Thy Gospel preached. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."