In my rear-view mirror, I saw the red lights begin to rotate on the patrol car. Easing to the side of the road, I realized he was not going around me, but stopping behind me! The young patrolman informed me that I had squeezed the yellow light at the intersection a little too closely and that, as he saw it, I had broken the law by running a red light. I was very glad that after a word of warning, he sent me on my way. I don't like getting an expensive traffic ticket! However, I've seen public roads in developing nations that don't have traffic law enforcement and the chaos is dangerous. So, I am thankful for the men and women who enforce the law and help to keep me safe. I don't choose to submit to the police because I like or even respect the individual officer. Some cops are even corrupt, some judges are crooked; but I recognize the importance of the system for order, so I submit to the rule of law.
Do you know that submission to those who are in authority is a spiritual issue?
The Bible teaches us that "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience."
(Romans 13:1-5, NIV)
Authority principles run through all of society - the family, the government, and even the church.
A family where the children do not recognize the authority of parents will be a family in chaos.
A citizenry that does not respect the governing authorities will become a terrible place, a dangerous place.
A church where those with spiritual authority are not allowed to lead will be a joyless, conflict filled place, too. It isn't always the 'followers' that are at fault! Sometimes those entrusted with authority fail to lead! Why? Because providing leadership is a hard thing to do.
Ask any parent of teenagers how much fun it is to enforce necessary rules. It is hard to have our kids dislike us, resist us. They even think we're being tyrants. So some parents abdicate their God-given authority! Those who provide leadership in a nation have to deal with resistance, too! I can't think that reading opinion polls that show declining support is all that enjoyable for our elected officials. Pastors who are called to lead local churches know both the joy of cooperative congregations and the pain of those who refuse their leadership. The most tragic thing for those who rebel and resist leadership is not how the effect on the leader, but the effect on the church! When people pray for their spiritual leaders and follow them willingly, unity grows; relationships deepen, and amazing things happen in the Kingdom of God.
Authority (and many despise that word) is necessary. Authority comes from God and is not just an unpleasant necessity. Good authority is a gift from God. That is why we need to encourage those who lead us, pray for them, and help them to govern well. Consider the example of Israel following the exodus from Egypt. When they obeyed God and willingly submitted themselves to Moses' leadership, they prospered and were at peace. When they grumbled, griped, and rebelled - they found themselves under the judgment of God, divided, and eventually dying. The Word makes this observation - "We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly live?" (Hebrews 12:9, The Message)
Here's a word from the Word to think on today - "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you." (Hebrews 13:17, NIV)
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