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| Volume 25 Number 8 August 2023 |
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| Volume 25 Number 8 August 2023 |
Page 4 |
Hiram Kemp
The Bible tells us when Jesus was on earth, He did the things that pleased His Father (John 6:29). Jesus did not come to earth to do His own will but instead to do the will of His Father Who sent Him into the world (John 6:38). Paul went as far as to say that Jesus is subject to the Father in Heaven (1 Corinthians 15:27-28). Jesus is divine, equal to the Father, possesses all authority, and yet, the Bible tells us that He submits to the Father (Matthew 28:18; John 10:30). Though we may not understand all of the intricacies of the Godhead and the relationship between its members, we can appreciate that Jesus is willing to submit in some way to God as His Father.
In our society, submission is often looked down upon, but the Christian must remember that it is a part of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus surrendered some of His divine advantages while on earth so He could fulfill the role of Mediator and Redeemer (Philippians 2:5-8). Jesus’ willing sacrifice and submission led to His eventual exaltation, and the same will be true for us. Submission is an essential part of the servant life that Christians are called upon to live. Christians are to submit to each other in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:21). Wives are to submit to their husbands as they would to the Lord Himself (Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18). Servants are to be submissive to their masters (Titus 2:9; 1 Peter 2:18). [This principle is applicable today to the employee/employer relationship ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor.] Christians are also to be submissive to governing authorities. In a previous article, I discussed the need to pray for those in power as Paul pled for us to do in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. However, the Bible says more about our relationship to those in power. Paul and others in the New Testament spoke of the need to submit to those in power.
Before we examine the specific passages that speak of our need to submit, it is important for us to remember that Christians in the first century did not always enjoy the favor of their leaders. Christians were seen as being a part of the ‘sect that was spoken against everywhere’ (Acts 28:22). Historians tell us that Emperor Nero began the persecution of Christians in Rome and that he was likely responsible for the death of both Peter and Paul, as they were martyred during his reign (Ferguson 34). Still, these inspired penmen wrote to Christians and commanded them to be in subjection to their civil leaders, the very leaders that would eventually kill them for their faith (Revelation 2:10). Though we live in a different time, the command to submit to civil leaders still stands. Let us notice what the New Testament says about our responsibility to civil leaders in this respect.
Proper View of Authorities
Paul’s words in Romans 13:1-7 may be the strongest and the clearest words in the New Testament on our relationship to governing authorities. He just finished telling Christians not to take vengeance into their own hands but instead to leave it to God (Romans 12:19-21). There, he stated that God has certain individuals in place on earth to punish evildoers. Paul noted a few important things that we should keep in mind when it comes to how we respond to those in positions of power. Every individual is to submit to leaders because God possesses all power. He is the One Who put them in power (Romans 13:1; Psalm 62:11). While humans vote and do what they can on the earth, Paul declared that there is no one in power of whom God is unaware. God is the One Who is really in control. If we fail to submit to those in power, then we are rebelling against God Who put them there (Romans 13:2).
This does not mean that God approves of everything leaders do. This does not even mean that every leader has God’s blessing and approval. However, government, as an institution, is God’s doing, and to rebel against it is to rebel against God. When we are hesitant about submitting to government, we should ask ourselves, “Do we want to be found fighting against?” God (Acts 5:38-39). Paul penned twice in Romans 13:4 that leaders are God’s servants or ministers. The word translated “minister” in Romans 13:4 is the same word used elsewhere to speak of faithful ministers of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 3:6; 1 Thessalonians 3:2). Christians should submit to those in power not only because they can punish us, which they can, but also “for conscience sake” (Romans 13:5). When Paul brought up the conscience, he essentially said our obedience should flow from the idea that we know this is the right thing to do (1 Corinthians 10:31).
In a similar passage, Peter instructed Christians to submit to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake (1 Peter 2:13). Those of us with the freedom to vote and to express our opinion should keep in mind that our obedience and our subjection are driven by our desire to please the Lord whether or not we favor the person in office. It is God’s will that we live in conformity with the laws of the land so that we do not soil our influence with outsiders (1 Peter 2:11-12, 15-16). Those in civil leaderships are not only worthy of our submission, but they are also worthy of our honor (1 Peter 2:17)!
Practical Application
Submitting to civil authorities is what Christians are to do because we want to please God. In a future article, I will discuss what the Bible says about disobeying rulers when their laws contradict God’s Word (Acts 5:29). However, where the laws of man do not contradict or conflict with the law of God, we are to submit and to obey. We also should do this in small areas (e.g., driving the speed limit, wearing a seatbelt and paying our taxes, Romans 13:7-8). Likewise, in other areas that may make us more uncomfortable, we need to obey as well. We need to keep in mind that if we disobey civil authorities, we are not only bad examples, but we are on bad terms with God. To rebel against civil authorities is to disrespect and disobey God, and God will not take this lightly. Instead of using our energy in rebellion, we are to submit and to be ready for every good work in the Lord’s cause (Titus 3:1).
Submission does not mean we agree or approve with decisions our civil authorities make. Submission means that we know God rules in the kingdoms of men, and He will hold them accountable for how they use their power. He will also hold us accountable for how we responded to His Word (John 19:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10). If we only obey God’s Word when it is easy or convenient for us, then we don’t truly obey God, but instead, we are guilty of doing our own will. If man’s laws do not violate the laws of God, we should submit to them because God commands us to do so. We should also keep in mind that we follow a Savior Who was willing to submit to the Father’s will even when it hurt (Matthew 26:39). As we follow our Lord, sometimes our submission will be uncomfortable, but it will always be worth it.
Works Consulted
Ferguson, Everett. Backgrounds of Early Christianity. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans P., 2003.
