Everyone is Subject to Authorities

“¹Let 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.” — Romans 13:1 (ESV)

But, what if I do not agree with the authorities, shouldn’t I be able to rebel against them and do my own thing? Well that is a complicated but easy thing to answer. In short NO, we are to subject ourselves to the authorities. They are in authority with the full knowledge of God, and based on the above verse, we are to subject ourselves to them.

But, if you notice and remember, Paul is writing from prison where he has been placed as he was not in agreement with authorities. So there in lies the confusing and complicated part.

We are to subject to authority. We are to do as they have asked, until those things are contrary to the will and works of God. I am to follow man’s law as long as it does not conflict with God’s law, and then I follow God’s law over man’s. I work with others in this world and in those workings will be subject to their authority. I am to abide by that authority. I am to be good in the eyes of God and do as He wishes. Most of the time, that good will cause man to see me as good and subject to their authority. There are times though where I will be contrary to them and in those times I am subject to God’s authority and will have to deal with the consequences of being contrary to man’s authority.

At work, I have authority that I am subject to based on their title and position. I subject myself to their authority and will do as they say, until that is in contrast to what is right based on God’s authority. In those instances, I will do as God has me do and whatever consequences there are from the authority in my work, I am subject to those and will accept them.

Authority is all around and we are subject to that authority. We are to do as we are directed by that authority and remember that God is in full knowledge of those that are in that position. When the direction from the authority is contrary to God’s authority, then we are to follow God and accept the consequences of man.

What authority are you under in your daily life? Are you subject to that authority always? What if you were to be subject to that authority until it was contrary to God’s authority and then follow God’s authority with the full knowledge and acceptance of the consequences for doing so?