Devotion #3: Ultimate Authority
“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. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” Romans 13:3-4
Paul continues to establish his point that those in positions of authority are placed by God and ultimately under the authority of God. If we believe that Jesus has the ultimate authority, as stated in Matthew 28:18, then we know that He is in control. So, Paul stresses that we should submit to our governing officials. Paul says, “Rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.” He goes on to say, “Do what is good, and you will receive his approval.”
He is saying that if we are following the rules and obeying the laws, we should not have a problem. God has put people in those authority roles for the purpose of maintaining civility among communities and organizations. We may not understand why someone or a group of people have the role of authority, but we can be assured that God has it under control.
All throughout the Bible, we see God use non-believers to fulfill His will. In Ezra, God raised up Cyrus, an evil pagan king, to supply what was necessary and to lead the rebuilding of the House of God in Israel. In 1 Samuel chapter 17, Goliath was used to exalt David. Also, let us remember that the Romans put an innocent man to death when they beat the nails into Jesus’ hands and feet, hanging Him on the cross.
At the time Paul wrote this letter to the Romans, the world was under the Roman empire, and the rulers led a pagan, polytheistic society in which Christians were persecuted. This makes Paul’s writing seem a bit outlandish as he instructs the believers in Rome to submit to the authorities. Paul is saying to remain strong in faith and live in a way that is pleasing to God.
Some may see the current state of the American political system as similar to the Roman Empire in that God is being removed from society. One may even say that we can relate to submitting to a government that does not follow Jesus. We can relate to a teaching that does not necessarily make sense. However, is that not the Gospel? The perfect God sent His perfect Son to be the perfect Savior for a broken world (John 3:16). It does not make sense; yet, that is what He did! He commands us to follow His lead. This sometimes may mean doing something we do not understand. This is why God’s Word includes Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
In America, we worship Jesus without persecution. We hold the right to cast votes for our preferred authorities. We may not always end up with the political outcome we prefer, but we can rest assured that no matter who the world puts in authority over us, they all are under the ultimate authority of God!