Submit To Authorities. Are You Kidding?

Dear Saints,

Submit to every authority (the position). Even a Democratic or Republican party-led government? Yes. Submit to all authorities, even the mean ones as was at the time of Apostle Peter’s writing to the suffering Pilgrims? Yes. No human authority is perfect just as we all have sinned.

Most of us are not in love with the government. Why? They often make rules we disagree with, even the good ones like speed limits.

Something in us rebels against not just the human authorities but God’s. I believe it is our sinful nature. Here is Apostle Peter’s appeal to the Pilgrims:

 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴ or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. 

¹⁵ For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— ¹⁶ as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God. ¹⁷ Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” 1 Peter 2:13-17

Please note why we have to submit – “for the Lord’s sake.” God ordained all authorities (the positions). It is like the military. You may not like your commanding officer, but are required to submit to his/her position of authority.  Also, all authorities are under the lordship of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:19-23). Jesus recognized governments, saying give to Caesar what belongs to him, and to God, what is God’s.

What is our role in and outside the government? First is to love all people (the brotherhood) and honor (respect) the king/president/authorities and all  people. Some of us are government employees and officials. Some of us should contest for political positions especially if you have been gifted to lead. We should also vote in elections as good citizens. No voting, no complaining.

Above all, we must fear only God because He is the ultimate Lawgiver and Judge. We are not to fear people or the government. God has the ultimate power and not rulers. We must preach the Gospel without fear for the Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation. Lasting change and transformation in any culture/country starts with the Gospel of Christ. America is great because of the Gospel as her foundation.

In addition, we must speak/oppose unjust laws that are clearly against the command of God or prohibit us from obeying God; and any clear human rights abuses. We must also speak up when those in authority are not obeying the laws themselves. No one should be above the law.

Apostle Paul writes almost the same as Peter:

 “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

² Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves… For he [the ruler] is God’s minister [servant] to you for good.” Romans 13:1-7

Our view and approach to people in government changes when we start seeing them as “ministers of God.” “Minister” Biden, Minister Trump, Minister Putin, Minister Buhari? Some of you are saying common on, be serious. In fact, some countries use “Prime Minister” or “Minister of Defense.” We must pray for our ministers (servants) even when they may be clueless and harsh.

Note that the rulers are called “servants.” We who trust and believe in Christ are “bondservants.” We have a higher calling to honor and fear God. It doesn’t matter what those in authority are doing. As bondservants, we answer first to God our Father who has bought us with the highest price, the cross of Christ.

I believe, the rulers (good or bad) are called servants because they are used to accomplish the sovereign purposes of God. It’s a bit hard to accept with our limited knowledge. A good example is the brutal king Nebuchadnezzar who God used to discipline the Israel. Also, God used even the mean Roman Empire to build the infrastructure for spread of the Gospel.

God said, rulers are “servants/ministers to you for good.” We need order and peace in every society, otherwise there is chaos. We have a responsibility to pray for all people especially those in authority. See 1 Timothy 2:1-4. We should never underestimate the power of prayer for all in all authority. Remember, "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water; He turneth it withersoever He will." Proverbs 21:1.

Let us thank God for our rulers and prayer that God will grant them wisdom. Lord, we thank you for President Biden and his administration. Please Lord, grant them wisdom to rule with truth and justice. We pray the same for all worldwide rulers and government workers (civil servants), the judges, the military, police and etc. 

I pray for the coming 2023 election in Nigeria which be a major turning point for the country. Please Lord, grant the people wisdom to elect a president that will govern with your fear, equity and righteousness. Amen.

Lord, please grant us wisdom and grace to submit, honor, respect  and pray for all in authority. May your name be praised through our submission. Amen.