Authority plays a significant role in our society and every organization. Without it, many things will be scattered and disorganized. A common deception that has affected many Christians is this: “If God is the author of my life, then why do I need to submit to another person?” Well, God is and will always be God, but as long as this earth is given to the children of men (Psalm 115:16) to have dominion, submitting to authority will always be essential.
It’s much easier to submit to authority if you have sound reason(s) for doing so. If many Christians know why God has institutionalized authority in our societies and organizations, submitting to such people (leaders) won’t be a problem.
Here are four Biblical reasons that explain why you should submit to authority.
1. All authority is established by God
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” Romans 13:1 NKJV
All authority is from God, although not all authority is godly. By saying this, I mean every person in authority is ordained by God to be in that position, although not everything they do is right before God. We must always be conscious that a man (not gender-related) isn’t what he does; but who God says he is. We all commit faults and offend others. Therefore, if your leader does something wrong, it shouldn’t give you any basis for you to rebel against him.
A man isn’t what he does; but who God says he is.
Christ In Andy
No leader is perfect. They’re just in their positions because God placed them there. Instead of rebelling against them, pray for them and submit to them. As a Christian, you must obey commands from authority except those that contradict the standards of God’s Word. In other words, don’t obey (not submit to) commands from leaders that will lead you to sin.
2. Prevent judgement upon yourself
“Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:2 NKJV
There’s a common cliché I heard from many civil and student leaders during my first year of stay in KNUST main campus. They usually said, “you’ll not know the laws of this university work until you get caught for breaking any of them.” I was just a first-year student at that time, so I didn’t pay much attention to it. It was not soon that I saw fliers of some students rusticated for exam malpractices.
As long as you know what’s right to do, do it. You don’t need to memorize all the rules, laws, and regulations of your country or workplace, or school. But getting an education about them is very important. It guards you against committing faults you know nothing about. I’ve said somewhere before that if thieves know how prisoners suffer in prison, they’ll stop stealing and get some work to do. Prevent judgment upon yourself by doing what’s required of you by civil authority (as long as it doesn’t lead you to sin) without complaining.
3. Live with a good conscience
“Therefore you must be subject [to civil authorities], not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake.” Romans 13:5 NKJV
Conscience is the voice of your human spirit. When you do something wrong, your conscience will let you know it immediately. When you’re subject to authority, it’s God’s will for you. If you don’t do it, your conscience will tell you it’s wrong. Your conscience is too precious to subject it to perpetual torments through rebellion against authority. Remember that a servant is never greater than his master. If God has approved someone to be in authority, then submitting to them means submitting to the God who placed them there. You cannot win against God. Therefore, submit to authority.
4. Silence the ignorance of foolish people
“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—” I Peter 2:13-15 NKJV
There’s an onslaught of the enemy to make people discredit the integrity of God’s Word. The devil does it through rebellious people who go to church. I’ve seen people reject the idea of going to church just because so-and-so Christian did something very terrible. Jesus is the standard in Christianity, not any man. However, the world doesn’t know Jesus. They can only see Him in us when we witness Him well. So to silence the ignorance of foolish people who don’t know God, we have to live according to the standards of the Bible. And that includes submitting to authorities.
Do not try to rebel against someone appointed by God to rule on governing authorities. If you do, it’ll not help you as an individual and at the same time give a wrong impression about the Body of Christ to the world. Submit to authority.
This article gives an explanation of a the sermon preached by Christ In Andy. Download the sermon notes below.
