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Submitting To Authority - Audio
Romans 13:1–7 NASB95 1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
The Command: Believers are to SUBMIT to the governing authorities.
Why?
1. Civil authority is ORDAINED by God.
Reasons for Submission:
1. Whoever resists the authority is resisting what GOD has APPOINTED. (verse 2)
2. Civil authority is for our GOOD, a GIFT of grace from God.
3. The civil authorities have the authority to PUNISH wrongdoing, even with CAPITAL punishment if deemed necessary.
4. Be subject for CONSCIENCE sake.
Is submission to government and civil authority absolute?
Examples of civil disobedience in the Bible:
1. The Hebrew MIDWIVES.
2. DANIEL.
Daniel 6:10 NASB95 10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
3. SHADRACH, MESHACH, and ABEDNEGO.
Daniel 3:17–18 NASB95 17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
4. The APOSTLES.
Acts 5:27–29 NASB95 27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Key point:
The government’s place is to punish evil and to reward good, not DEFINE what BEHAVIOR is good and evil. That has already been established by God.
Philippians 3:20 NASB95 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
1 Peter 2:13–15 NASB95 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
When is civil disobedience appropriate and justified? What should it look like?
Luke 6:27–30 NASB95 27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
Our actions, whether they be compliance or civil disobedience, need to be guided by agape love for the VICTIMS and PERPETRATORS.
"Letting it go” is not always a LOVING response. In some situations, especially when others are being hurt, patience and PASSIVITY is a cover for COWARDCE.
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By Kingdom Life Church
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Romans 13:1–7 NASB95 1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 3 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; 4 for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. 5 Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. 7 Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
The Command: Believers are to SUBMIT to the governing authorities.
Why?
1. Civil authority is ORDAINED by God.
Reasons for Submission:
1. Whoever resists the authority is resisting what GOD has APPOINTED. (verse 2)
2. Civil authority is for our GOOD, a GIFT of grace from God.
3. The civil authorities have the authority to PUNISH wrongdoing, even with CAPITAL punishment if deemed necessary.
4. Be subject for CONSCIENCE sake.
Is submission to government and civil authority absolute?
Examples of civil disobedience in the Bible:
1. The Hebrew MIDWIVES.
2. DANIEL.
Daniel 6:10 NASB95 10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
3. SHADRACH, MESHACH, and ABEDNEGO.
Daniel 3:17–18 NASB95 17 “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 “But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
4. The APOSTLES.
Acts 5:27–29 NASB95 27 When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.
Key point:
The government’s place is to punish evil and to reward good, not DEFINE what BEHAVIOR is good and evil. That has already been established by God.
Philippians 3:20 NASB95 20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
1 Peter 2:13–15 NASB95 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.
When is civil disobedience appropriate and justified? What should it look like?
Luke 6:27–30 NASB95 27 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. 30 “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.
Our actions, whether they be compliance or civil disobedience, need to be guided by agape love for the VICTIMS and PERPETRATORS.
"Letting it go” is not always a LOVING response. In some situations, especially when others are being hurt, patience and PASSIVITY is a cover for COWARDCE.