ROMANS 13

Everyone loves a rebel!  

If you look at our favorite characters in the movies we love or our favorite celebrities, they have a side of rebellion in them.  They bravely go against the grain to prove they're right. Usually our heros are rewarded for their behavior.  

Each of these stories affirm the fantasy that if I got to do what I wanted, when I wanted things would be better off.  At the center of this belief is that I know best, and everyone else is holding me back.  The stories we love involve fantasies where that is the case for the lead character.

But really this is a prideful fantasy that elevates the self.  Typically we like to submit to authorities when we agree with their decisions, and we feel justified in rebelling when we disagree with authorities. The problem with only submitting when you agree with someone is that that is agreement not submission.

Submission isn't submisison until there is a disagreement!

Scripture has some strong words for those who rebel against authority.

ROMANS 13

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

3 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 you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.

 Romans 13 makes several very strong statements about authority:

COMMAND: Submit to governing authorities
WHY: God has established all governing authorities 
RAMIFICATION #1: Rebelling against authorities is rebelling against God
WARNING: Those who rebel against authority will bring judgement on themselves
RAMIFICATION #2: Authorities are God's servants

The Truth About Submission

In this passage Paul makes something very clear, submission to governing authorities is a spiritual matter.  When we properly understand God's role in establishing authorities, it has big ramfications for how we see the world around.

Ask yourself:

THEOLOGICALLY | Do I truly believe God establishes governing authorities?  If you do, it changes the way you perceive elections

FAITH | Do I truly trust God has a plan in establishing the authorities I'm under? If you do, it changes the way you view laws and policies you disagreement.  Your hope isn't in your governing authorities. It is in the One who established the authorities. He has a plan even when we don't like their plan.

Where do you struggle to submit to governing authorities?

• Do you speed?
• Do you pirate music, movies or software?
• Do you cheat on your taxes?

Maybe for you it isn't a specific law.  Perhaps for you it's your attitude towards public officials.

• Do you lose hope when Republicans are elected?
• Do you lose hope when Democrats are elected?
• Is your hope in a specific policy? 

While it's absolutely valid to have concern regarding elected officials, our thought on authorities changes when we realize that God establishes all authorities.  If I trust that God is all good and believe that God establishes authorities, I can have peace even when our authorities make decisions we don't agree with.

Where do you personally need to submit to governing authorities?

Sean Chandler | Associate Pastor

Sean has been a part of the association of Hill Country Bible Churches for over twenty years. He received Christ as a youth while attending Hill Country Bible Church Austin. He attended Hill Country Bible Church NW from 1989 to 2002. At that time he began attending HCBC Pflugerville. He served as a student ministry intern there for two years. In 2008, Sean graduated from Columbia International University with a double major in Bible and Bible teaching. Sean married his wife, Jennifer, in 2006. Their first child, Liam, was born in 2012, and their second, Chloe, was born in 2014.

He blogs regularly at seanchandler.net.