Submission to Authority by Suresh Joel
Being saved does not fully exempt us from facing the consequences of our lifestyle choices. Our life can be distressing if we choose to do what pleases us most.
Romans 13:1 says “…for there is no authority except that which God has established”. Submission to authority is a key Biblical principle. As the verse points, all authority is placed by God, and God expects us to submit and obey the authority that is placed above us.
There are times when we subtly rebel. Most times by a false notion that we are able to perceive things better than the authority placed over us. And to complain is one of the first signs of rebellion. We are unhappy and begin to complain with anything our authorities do. We see this, when the Israelites start complaining about Moses’ leadership (Numbers 14:1-3). They murmur among themselves and decide to choose a new leader. God wasn’t pleased with this. This primarily shows jealousy towards the authority.
It is important to recognize the roles God places over each person. For instance, the front end ministry. To take Saul as an example, God had placed the authority of kingship over him. In 1 Samuel 24 we see that even though Saul sought to kill David and David had the opportunity to avenge Saul and kill him, he doesn’t do so. He respects the role that God had placed over Saul’s life as king. There are times we disagree with those leading front end ministries, than humbly respect the authority God has placed over them.
In 1 Sam 15:7-11, we see that Saul rebels against God’s command. God through Samuel asks Saul to kill all of the Amalekites and their belongings, but Saul spared Agag, king of the Amalekites and the best of few of the cattle that belonged to the Amalekites. This to a great deal displeased God. Saul considered himself wiser than God, and decided he could spare the cattle and offer them as sacrifice to the Lord. When Saul was first anointed as King, he was very humble man. We see in 1 Sam 10:27, when people spoke against Saul, even though he was anointed king he walked away pretending not to have heard their insults. Though a humble man, within one year of his reign as king, thought himself to be wiser than God. This resulted in the Spirit of God leaving Saul. Saul showed rebellion against God’s authority.
There are times when we strive for freedom from authority. We forget, there is freedom within authority. Authority, calls for submission and submission leads to true freedom. You will find peace when you are in submission to God’s authority and that is the peace that surpasses all understanding.
How to appeal to authority:
All authority makes mistakes, because they are humans. You can appeal to authority by
- Being in right standing; obedient; and with clear conscience (Rom 13:1-7)
- Have the right motive; right attitude (1 Peter 2:13-19)
- Discern appropriate time (Esther 7:1-6)
- Provide accurate information (Acts 26:3)
- Provide reasonable alternatives: Offer solution in respectful ways (Daniel 1:8-16)
- Respond correctly if rejected: Deny self and suffer for not doing wrong.
Few of the verses that tell us that we should respect our authorities in different spheres of life:
Family: Eph 5:25- 6:4
Workplace: Eph 6:5-7; I Peter 2:18
Government: Rom 13: 1-8
Church: 1 Timothy 5:17; 1 Thes 5:12; Hebrew 13:17; 1 Pet 5:3-6
Rest in peace for He is sovereign. Matt 28:18-20; Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9; Col 2:10 – all these verses tell us that above all authority is Christ. We know that God is wise, all knowing, benevolent and does everything for our eternal good. We should learn to trust that God has a purpose that will fulfill our life goal.
Reflection by Alrina D’souza