“Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 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. 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. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Paul’s words about obedience and submission to Roman authorities must have come as a shock to his readers. They were living under a cruel emperor and a corrupt government. Why should they submit to people who were persecuting them, even killing them and their Christian brothers and sisters? They were in constant danger of being arrested and tortured for their faith. Surely, God didn’t expect them to give in to such treatment!

Paul was not advocating an “it’s okay if they walk all over you” attitude. He was teaching them a principle. God works through a system of order and a chain of command…authority and submission. It is He who has the right to delegate His authority in society and it is our responsibility to submit…not to rebel. 

How does this work in our own situation? How can we submit, in good faith, to people who are not only ungodly but so corrupt that law and order has broken down…the authority of the state has been hollowed out…state funds have been looted at will…people are starving because they have no work…services and infrastructure have collapsed…and politicians still make corrupt laws and carry on as though nothing has happened?

Does God really expect us to live in this mess without protest and resistance? Yes, because there are legitimate ways to bring about change without the violent protests that add to the destruction. 

First…prayer and patience. We need to get our thinking straight. 

God has appointed His king to rule over the nations. 

“For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” The king proclaims the Lord’s decree: “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son. Today I have become your Father. Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the whole earth as your possession.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭2‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Even if it doesn’t seem so, Jesus rules over the nations. He is moving history towards His appointed end. 

“After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Our prayers must not be…” Lord, please fix this mess…” but “Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Our eyes are not on a temporary fix but an eternal kingdom over which Jesus will reign in righteousness forever. Paul instructs…even in the darkest of times…

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Life on this planet as it is now is temporary and transient. God uses our discomfort to discipline us for eternity. He gives grace for our weakness and help when we call on His name. 

Second…we have the courts, and the many civil societies who use them to appeal against injustice. We can support those who speak for us. 

Third…there are many sane-thinking people who speak through the mass media to guide the people towards wisdom rather than rash behaviour. Podcasters are increasing in influence over those who are willing to listen. 

Fourth…in a democracy, the people have the power to remove wicked rulers through the ballot box. Instead of passive protest by refusing to vote, ordinary people can change the course of our country by voting wisely. This takes time, education, and persuasion. 

Yes, the right thing is to submit to the government since God works through order and delegated authority. No, we cannot change things by violent protest and chaos. Our trust is not in the government but in the God who rules, and works, in all things, for our good. 

Yes, we live in a corrupt world but it is temporary and…our sights are on an eternal kingdom over which Jesus reigns in justice, righteousness, and peace. This life is transient and a preparation for the life to come. 

In the midst of cruelty and injustice, God is restoring the image of His Son in us, teaching us, through obedience and submission to His will, how to follow His Spirit in us rather than the old nature that retaliates to evil. These things provoke our sinful old nature but God is using them to prepare us for His eternal kingdom. 

Paul declares…to live in obedience to authority is to do the will of God and to have a good conscience before God and men. 

To be continued