Sermon Central
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The Governing Authorities
Contributed by Shane Williams on Oct 18, 2000 (message contributor)
Summary: How should we act toward those who rule over us?
Over the past couple years, most of us have heard, read, and watched a lot about our president. There are many things we see going on in our executive branch that have never happened before. Whether it is lying, felonies, or adultery, there are a lot of things we disagree with that the president has done.
Through all of this, I believe we as Christians have a responsibility in how we act, talk, and conduct ourselves as we see all these things going on. Consider the following:
I. There is no authority except from God.
In Romans 13:1 Paul says, “Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”
It is important that we understand how government operates in God’s divine plan. God is the one who puts these powers in existence. It seems that people wonder why God lets things like this go on. Why doesn’t God do something about it? We forget that God is the one in control.
II. Resisting authority is resisting God.
Notice Romans 13:2, “Therefor he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”
We have a responsibility in all of this. Just because we don’t like the laws that are passed, the personal life of the authority figure, or anything else about our government, does not give us license to resist their authority. To resist their authority is to resist God. I don’t believe any of us want to resist God. We show our love and respect for God when we obey the authorities that He has put into place.
III. Submit to the governing authorities.
I Peter 2:13-14, “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by Him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.”
What we do is for the Lord. God tells us to submit to their authority. This is the will of God (I Peter 2:15).
We may not understand why God has placed certain individuals into governing positions but it is not up to us to question. Our obligation lies in our obedience to God. Putting God first in our lives involves our subjection to our rulers. We may not agree with what is being practiced by our rulers but our responsibility is still there.
