Pastor Mary often teaches about lawlessness, which is “a state of disorder due to a disregard of the law”. Lawlessness is an act of this world and it should never be used by God’s people (that’s us, my friends). Today’s passage is from Paul and it addresses how as the followers of Christ we are to have respect for all governing authorities.
When you see or hear hatred towards the men and women who serve to protect us, do you think about those men and women as appointed to their positions by God?
Let’s look at it from the perspective of the Church. We can all agree that Jesus was appointed by God to be the governing authority of our lives, He protects us, and we are called to honor Him by obeying and following His commands. So, how is it that some people can justify doing this for Christ, but they can also condone lawlessness? Today, they finds themselves approving “pieces” of the riots, they standing behind “some” of the politically motivated division and/or violence, they “think” it’s okay to dismantle God’s appointed positions of authority, and they “mumble” hateful words about the leaders of our country. Friends, we can’t have it both way! We either trust God to do what only He can do and we follow His Word, which we see today teaches us to have “Respect for Authority”, or we follow this world which is in heavy pursuit of complete lawlessness. The choice is simple, the Light of Christ or the darkness of this world.
Romans13:1-7
Respect for Authority
13 Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for the men and women who are called by You to govern and protect our country, state, counties, cities, homes, and families. Help us to have faith that Your plans are always far greater than our thoughts and allow us to trust You. Your ways are not our ways, Your thoughts are not our thoughts, and Your time is certainly not our time. So, we must not get distracted by what we believe is right or wrong, we must keep our eyes open for Your return. Help us to do that Lord. In Jesus’s Name. Amen.
Written By: Jen Auer