City Life Starter

By Heather Mattingly

The WORD:

Romans 13:1-4

“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. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good…..”

1 Peter 2:18

“Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.”

Proverbs 21:1

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He will.”

We’ve been discussing how to apply the Gospel of Jesus Christ to politics. Today, let’s take another look at authority. Authority is God’s idea and the Bible says it’s His design for our good (Rom. 13:4). The Scriptures above show us (a.) how we are to operate within God’s given authority He places over us, and (b.) how God Himself operates authority.

Authority is difficult because it seems almost daily that we see a person in a position of authority doing something dishonorable. Why should we be accountable to obey someone (or an organization) who is not acting honorably?

In the letter to the Romans, Paul writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but too bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good…..” (Romans 13:1-4). Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, a group of believers whom he had not met yet, but whom he was going to visit. He wrote various encouragements for living out faith in Jesus, including being obedient to political authorities. What is most interesting is that Nero was the Emperor of Rome during this time (57-58 A.D.) – Nero, who at this time was 19 years old, and within one year murdered his own mother, then had his wife executed, countless others, and persecuted Christians (Nero was the Roman Emperor infamous for using Christians as “flaming torches” for the streets of Rome after the Great Fire in Rome). This Emperor is the man whom Paul writes the Roman church to be obedient to.

The apostle Peter writes, ““Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.” (1 Peter 2:18). This letter was written to believers in the Roman provinces of Galatia, Asia, and Bithynia (all parts of modern-day Turkey). This letter was written in 64-68 A.D., which meant that Nero was still the Roman Emperor, and his abuses of power had grown worse over time. Peter, like Paul, admonishes the church to obey these same authorities – these same authorities who were persecuting and murdering them.

The Bible tells us that “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He will.” (Prov. 21:1). So, according to this scripture, God handheld Nero’s heart? God’s hand holds our President’s, senator’s, representatives, mayor’s, etc…..hearts in His hand, too? All those in power – past and present? All over the world?

Yes.

If this is so, why does He let terrible things happen by the hand of those in power? Isn’t He supposed to be good?

Yes. He is good. But we live in a fallen world. He does have a plan – a Master Plan which will make all things right and He will wipe away every tear. He has given you a vision of His Master Plan in your Bible, especially in the Book of Revelation, but we don’t know all of the details. Those details are His business; our business is to trust and obey Him. Moment by moment, day by day. And being obedient and acting honorably to those in power – federal, state, city, and to your authority in your daily work – matters to Him. The Bible tells us that those in authority are “God’s servant for your good.” (Rom. 13:4). Even if you don’t like your authority figure(s), it is God’s gift for your good. Will you accept it?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for Your gift of the authority figures you’ve placed over my life: in federal, state, and city governments. Bless our government officials who have given their lives for public service. I confess that I find submitting to authority difficult, especially the authority of __________. Please change my heart. You know that it is my deepest desire and pleasure to not just hear, but to do Your will. Please help me to walk this out, Holy Spirit. Please make me Your good and faithful servant. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Trust & Obey (John H. Sammis, circa 1887)

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way

To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love

Until all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,

Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,

Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go

Never fear, only trust and obey.