No Fear of Authority

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. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. 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; 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. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
~ Romans 13:1-5 ~
Whenever you see a police car behind you, in front of you, at an intersection, or at a check-mark-ditch-dirt-road-place, it's an automatic reaction to check the speedometer, right? No one WANTS to get a ticket. But of course, when you're abiding by the law, there is no fear of the authorities because why would they be after you? More often, if we're doing the right thing, we're thankful for their watchful posts instead of fearful (maybe not fearful, per say, but nervous).
 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities.
Pretty simple, right? There is an exception - when the government contradicts God's supreme authority
 
But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Acts 5:29
Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.
1 Peter 2:16
 
For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.
God is in control, as we see yet again! Note that there ARE bad authorities. It's because even though God established them with a plan for them, man still has a free will and can choose to disobey God (not recommended.).
Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.
If you're like me, you see a recurring theme: God is just, God is in control. Why? Because He is.
 For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil.
My wonderful Sunday School teacher did a lesson on this passage a couple weeks ago. She did an amazing job, and even though I can't live up to that, I'm doing my best. :)
If a parent asks if your room is clean, do you have to lie and cover it up and become fearful of the punishment? Not if you've obeyed. If you see the police car in the rearview mirror, do you get nervous? Not if you've obeyed. If you have good behavior, why should there be fear of rulers? If you have done evil, however, you should be fearful.
Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same;
Are you tired of having to hide from authority, and hide from God? If you do what is good, instead of evil, you can expect praise instead of punishment.
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.
That's scary, if you're doing what is evil. As I was taught in fifth grade, choices have consequences (good choices have good consequences, bad choices have bad consequences).
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
We shouldn't do good just because we're afraid of the punishment, we should do good because we know it is right and it is what God wants and expects of us. Being in subjection keeps us accountable.
~ Light4theLord
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

3 comments:

  1. Thank You for writing these LightfortheLord!

    ReplyDelete
  2. And you know, if your not doing anything wrong don't be scared of the police. Because they won't pull you over if your not doing anything wrong!

    ReplyDelete

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