DO YOU SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY?

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right.

1 Peter 2:13-14 NLT

This ends this reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Bring up the matter of submitting to authority these days and you might find yourself wading into the sea of conflict, especially in regard to the matter of politics.

Now I can’t speak with much confidence in regard to other nations but in my hope country of the United States, we are polarized today into two major divisions. One party carries with it more liberal and progressive ideologies while the other trends more conservatively and unfortunately, there isn’t an evident middle anymore. Where there was once an established moderate representation senators and representatives elected to serve in the Congress, a representation that carried a lot of influence, you are hard pressed to find many officials who stay in the middle. They are definitely an abject minority, for sure.

Perhaps this separation of political inclinations has never been greater than it is right now as we approach a presidential election in November, and it is into this environment that we find the Word of God speaking powerfully and in ways that will challenge anyone who falls on the side of railing and rebelling against who is in charge, whether at the national, state, or local level. Consider first our passage for today from 1 Peter, chapter 2, and then an expansion of the command found there in the 13th chapter of Romans:

For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. 1 Peter 2:13-14 NLT

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. Romans 13:1-2, 5 NIV

The common demand from the Word of the Lord is to submit to authority without compromise or consolation. No one is given an out here for any reason.

Everyone is to subject themselves to those who are in positions of governance, submitting to “all human authority”. No exceptions, for “there is no authority except that which God has established”. In other words, God is the One who places people in places of authority over others. It is a blessing from Him but it does come with a condition. For anyone He appoints to lead is ultimately accountable to Him for the way he or she leads. The people being led don’t hold the right to rebel against the authority God has placed on others for if they do, they will “bring judgment on themselves”.

God can’t be any clearer on His expectations as He is here and so the main question today is simply this:

Do you submit to authority?

My hope is that if you don’t, you will repent and then recommit yourself to being obedient to what the Lord commands, both for His sake and for the sake of your conscience.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

PS: Feel free to leave a comment and please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it. Send any prayer requests to TheChristianWalkPrayers@gmail.com.