Point of Repentance:
Authority
Scripture:
Romans 13:1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.
Observation:
Authority is an extremely important principle in the kingdom. God makes it clear in His word that rebelling against any authority is ultimately rebellion against God Himself. Before you think that this only applies to godly authorities, I will remind you that Paul wrote this in the time of Nero – a sadistic emperor who would burn Christians alive to light the road into Rome, and thus the term “Roman Candle” was born. If Paul calls for respect and submission to Nero’s authority, how much more to our civil leaders that we disagree with.
This is not to say, however, that we blindly follow every leader or that we have no voice and do not speak against injustice. Let me be clear on this point: our president, for example, is a flawed human that we are to submit to, while opposing ungodly policies but in a godly and respectful way. We are to submit and obey up until the point where any authority is telling us to violate kingdom principles. Even then, there is a way to respectfully oppose those in power. Great examples of this are found in Daniel 3 when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego refused to bow, and in Acts 4 when Peter and John told the Sanhedrin that they must proclaim the gospel even though they were being told not to.
Application:
There are many realms of authority.
Domestic: Husband, Parents, etc.
Civil: Police, Military, etc.
Governmental: Governor, President, etc.
Spiritual: Pastors, leadership, directors, etc.
Submission is not blind adherence or the inability to ask questions or raise concerns. It just means that we do it with respect and in a godly way. There is a difference between coming at someone (attacking, gossiping, accusing, and verbally tearing someone down) versus coming to someone (prayerfully submit your perspective and allow God to work). There is a place for peaceful protest and non-violent resistance, and the lines are not always clear. This is why we need discernment and the Holy Spirit to guide us. It is truly powerful when God uses the church to speak against injustice, immorality, and hatred (i.e. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), but we cannot be a voice for God if we are verbally rebelling against Him and His delegated authority. Before we talk about opposing ungodliness, we need to talk about submission. Without submission, opposition has no power and just becomes more noise.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Submission precedes resistance.
Most of the time, however, our lack of submission is not based upon unclear lines and shades of gray, wrestling with the morality of an issue. It is because we are selfish and rebellious and don’t want anyone – in the home, in the streets, or in the nation – telling us what to do. It is another form of pride, and we must repent of it.
Prayer of Repentance:
Father, I love You. Thank You for today. You are Holy. Help me to be holy like You. I don’t want to be like the world and add to the noise and chaos. I repent for the rebellion in my heart, mind, mouth, and life which is ultimately against You. Help me to learn to trust You and Your word, to know when to speak and when to be silent. Purify my heart and mind that my life may be a light in the darkness. Help me to humble myself before You. I break the power of every word I have said or have agreed with that has come against You, or any other authority in my life. Give me the strength to submit, and the wisdom to know how You would have me oppose ungodly principles and policies with humility, respect, and Holy Spirit power. Help me to submit to You, to resist the enemy, and trust You in the process. Amen.
Worship: