Governing authorities

Dads, I especially want to address this to you. Why, because you have the leadership authority in your home to teach your family responsibility as it relates to those in authority over our nation. It must first start in the home because there are many voices that will try to persuade your children otherwise. Reflect on these next verses written by Paul through the power of the Holy Spirit. And remember, his followers were living under a tyrannical government, very hostile to Christians.

“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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrong doer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience” Romans 13.1-5

Submit to God

We may not agree with the governing authorities, but we are subject to them because when we submit, we are actually submitting to God’s authority. That does not mean that we are to disobey God’s word if we are called to by the authorities. Jesus said, “render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, but render unto God what is God’s”. As a believer, this is a very delicate balance. Don’t we see this tension being played out in our own country today? But Scripture goes deeper in what our responsibility is. Paul writes to Timothy.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior” I Tim. 2.1-3

Teach your family

And dads, this is one of God’s high callings on your life, and to teach it to your family.

“I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling” I Tim. 2.8

The Holy Spirit also speaks to this through Peter. Notice that we are to submit to the civil government, not primarily because the government has the police power, but for the Lord’s sake. This makes clear that the way we relate to the government under which we live directly reflects on the Lord. That is why it is so important for us to do what God says through Peter: submit.

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men” Pet. 2.13,14

The way I see it, we as human beings, with prejudices and political affiliations and beliefs, cannot on our own submit to authorities when we don’t agree with them. That is why God has given us prayer. To address our own prejudices, our sinful nature and to truly pray for and submit to those in authority. What does it produce? It allows God to deal with the governing authorities and produces the ability for us to live quiet and peaceful lives. And for our families and nation to prosper. Prayer works, rioting doesn’t!!