OK, so I'm going to make someone angry today:
The seed of rebellion is within all of us. I watch my almost 2-year-old granddaughter. These days, no matter what anyone says, good or bad, encouragement or correction, her favorite word is "No!" Pretty typical. Many of the teenagers I teach are no different. I can give them a study hall and they do everything but study; they can be told to turn off their cell phones and they put them on "vibrate;" they can be told to get their hair cut to be in dress code and they just comb it in a way that it won't look so long. And it doesn't end with teenagers. What about speed limits and seat belt laws?--Let's not go there. Anyway, you get the picture. Rebellion against authority is somehow in the hearts of all people. Whether we like it or not, as I always say, we have to eat the whole Passover lamb--no picky eaters. Paul wrote:
"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities which exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgement on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment to the wrong-doer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor" (Romans 13:1-7).
Paul wasn't the only one to say it. The apostle Peter wrote: "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king as the supreme authority, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect for everyone: love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you suffer for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example to follow in His steps" (I Peter 2:13-21).
The precedent was set by Jesus: "'Where do you come from?' [Pilate] asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 'Do you refuse to speak to me?' Pilate said, 'Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?' Jesus answered, 'You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above'" (John 19:9b-11a)
Apparently bad government has been around for a long time; and not just bad government, but government that mocks God:
2:1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2:2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, [saying],
2:3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
2:4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
2:5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
2:6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou [art] my Son; this day have I begotten thee.
2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.
2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish [from] the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed [are] all they that put their trust in him.
It is comforting to remember in these evil times that God has no fear of earthly government and nothing that comes out of them takes Him by surprise or catches Him unprepared. God has not abdicated the throne of heaven; nor is He on vacation. No matter how much our government challenges God or tries to defeat or deny Him, He will have the final word!
"All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me"--Jesus (Matt. 28:18).
"Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:9-11).
That day will come. In the meantime, Heavenly Father, please bless all those in authority over us in our nation, state, city, and church. Lord, please reach out to the President and his family--let them know You for who You are and acknowledge Your Name before men. Let their household be saved. Send witnesses to the Vice-president, the Senators, Congressmen and Representatives that they might turn to You. Minister to our mayors and council members, and our law enforcement officers.Lord bless our Pastors and church elders, deacons and councils. And Lord, I pray that my rebellious nature would be nailed to the cross. Lead me and guide me in the way that I should go, and help me to be strong enough to make right choices. Amen
13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
13:2 Therefore he who resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
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