|
Message From Our Pastor
God's Agents of Authority
Romans 13:1-7
Job 34:13 says "Who gave God authority over the earth?" The answer is simple...no one. He already had it. He is our creator, sustainer, redeemer and savior. He is the founder and granter of authority. He chooses who and when to give it.
So let's examine three aspects of authority:
1. God establishes governing authorities.
Verse 1 says that the authorities that exist are established by God. Authority comes in my different places and at many different levels. Husbands are in authority in the marriage. Parents are in authority in the family. Owners, then managers, then supervisors are in authority in the workplace. Denominational leadership, then the pastor and then the church board are in leadership at the local church level. Christians, too, are given authority through Jesus. Lastly, those at the local, state and national government are in authority.
The key here is to understand that God establishes these people. Daniel 2:21 says "He changes the tiems and seasons: he sets up kings and deposes them." The centurion understood the principle of authority in Matthew 8. He knew not only what it was like to have authority, but more importantly what it was like to be under authority. There is a relationship here that we cannot overlook.
God puts people in the government over us for our benefit. It is against the law to kill or steal. It is for our benefit. They are called not only to establish laws but also to enforce them. All the authority they get is from God. Just look at John 19:11 sometime.
2. God uses them for His purposes.
Verse 4 says that they are God's servants and verse 3 tells us how He uses them: agents of good or agents of wrath.
Law enforcement and the military come to mind in agents of good. They are here to serve and protect within our borders and abroad.
These same people, though, can become agents of wrath. Why? Our passage says if we do good we have nothing to worry about, but if we do evil...guess what? The agents of wrath are called to do their job. Capitol punishment, prison and war come to mind when I think of agents of wrath.
Make no mistake, these things are Biblical. God gives authority to the government to act as judge and carry out sentences. When 9/11 came, the appropriate thing to do was to go after the evildoers. I know the Bible say "Vengeance is mine, I will repay says the Lord." I believe that is absolutely true, but in context I believe that is for personal harm. If someone does something to you, you are not to retaliate. But at a national level, it is the right and responsibility of our governement to root out those who have harmed the citizens of our great country.
3. God calls us to submit to them.
Verse 1 and verse 5 both point to the fact that we are to submit to our authority. Even when we don't agree with them or think they are wrong. Titus 3:1 says "Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, and to be obedient..."
So how can we submit?
(1) We can pray for them. Pray for people who are in authority over you that they would seek God for the decisions they make.
(2) Pay taxes. If you don't the IRS will be after you! But the spirit of the matter is to submit and pay your taxes.
(3) Give honor and respect to them. It is important that we do this. It bugs me to hear people call our president Mr. Bush or George Bush. We need to give him honor and respect for the position he is in. That goes at all levels of authority....even if you don't agree with them. If you are a McCain fan or a Barama fan the point is when the decision is made and they are put in authority over us, we submit and with a good attitude.
Now this doesn't mean you can't disagree on policies or decisions made. No! That is what is so cool about our country...but it does mean not to malign the person. Verse 2 says when we don't submit we are bringing judgement on ourselves.
(4) Be patriotic. We live in the best country in the world...the most blessed! I thank the Lord everyday for the country we live in. Our freedom, that we often take for granted, wasn't free. It cost the blood of men and women who made the ultimate sacrfice for us. (John 15:13)
Remember, God chose the people who are in authority over us. He uses them for his purposes and we are called to submit to them.
Blessings!
Pastor Shannon
You can hear this message by going to our media page.
|