Thursday, February 5, 2015
Romans 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
QUESTION AUTHORITY?
"I can't believe Dad made up such a stupid rule! ... The government is so corrupt, why should I pay my taxes ... If there's not a highway patrol in sight, I'm going to speed ... Why can't the church just leave me alone?" Sound familiar? We’ve all said or thought things like these. The cynical phrase: "Question authority!" has been popular for years.
Sometimes it can seem as though authority is a huge obstacle standing in the way of individual freedom and happiness. Yet, what would happen without it? If there were no authority in the home, how would children learn and be cared for? Would they really be happy? How could they be? There would be no family structure or security. Without authority in the world, society quickly disintegrates into a nightmare scenario where property and life are never safe. Paul warned Timothy: "There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:1ff.).
Rather than question authority, God says, "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Ephesians 6:1). "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you ... Obey your leaders and submit to their authority" (Hebrews 13:17). "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established" (Romans 13:1).
See the connection God is making? Authority is from God Himself. Parents' roles, leadership in marriage, government, and church authority are all gifts from God, not to make life harder, but to help preserve and bless us in both body and soul.
We can trust His intentions, for the Lord who puts authorities over us is the same One who sent His Son to die in our behalf to bring us into His family. So today, take note of the authorities in your life, thank God for them, and honor Him by honoring them.
