How to Treat Authorities
This article is being written just days after a United States of America general election. Authorities were elected from the President on down. It was the culmination of a highly contested and debated political race. Some are disappointed with the results, some elated, some frustrated, some angry, some depressed, and many have mixed emotions. This begs the question: How should we treat the authorities we find ourselves with?
If you are looking for the political answer, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you are at all interested in the Christian perspective, this might give some. You see, we Christians consider God, also known as YHWH, Yahweh, or Jehovah, the ultimate authority. And we consider the Bible to be the inspired Word of God. So, we look to the Bible as the best source on the subject. What does the Bible say about how to treat authorities?
1 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those who exist are ordained by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authority withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the authority, 4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a servant of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. 5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are servants of God’s service, continually doing this very thing. 7 Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Romans 13:1-7
It might not seem like it, but God has not lost control over who is in power. He is not surprised about who is in office. That doesn’t mean He agrees with everything they do. But somebody has to do the hard work of leading and enforcing. So, let’s not make it even harder on them. Let’s just do good. And let’s continue to trust God.
1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks be made for all men: 2 for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all… 1 Timothy 2:1-6a
Did you catch that? Pray for those in authority. If you think they are taking the wrong approach, pray. If you think they have a problem, pray. If you see them doing something good, thank God! Pray for reverence to God and Christ. Pray for mutual respect. Pray for tranquility for us all.
27 When they had brought them, they set them before the council. The high priest questioned them, 28 saying, “Didn’t we strictly command you not to teach in this name? Behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man’s blood on us.” 29 But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed, hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins. 32 We are his witnesses of these things; and so also is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:27-32
“We must obey God rather than men.” they said. God, and Jesus Christ His Son, have told and authorized Christians to share the good news of forgiveness through Jesus Christ and acceptance into Paradise. This also becomes evident to many Christians through unique verification in their spirits from The Holy Spirit of God Himself after they’ve become “saved”. Many Christians have already been persecuted or killed for sharing this good news of salvation through Christ.
The orders and authorization from God and Christ to share the good news of salvation through Christ overrule any human authority. They are a necessary exception to blind obedience to human authority. The Bible says, 14 Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. Mark 16:14-16
The good news, also known as “Gospel,” should be shared tactfully with a loving approach. Then the choice to either accept or reject Christ’s offer of forgiveness and Paradise is up to the individual. It cannot be forced.
If you’ve been “saved”, you understand deeply the importance of sharing this good news. If you haven’t been “saved”, I urge you to try to understand the necessity of a Savior. “Nobody’s perfect” is no excuse. Heaven demands sinless perfection only found in Jesus the Christ. He traded places with you in judgement, taking the death penalty for your sins on a cross. But that sacrifice does you no good if you aren’t truly sorry for your evil and willing to accept God’s gift of forgiveness through Jesus.
For more information, please see the free video “Why and How to Become a Christian” at GICFstudy.org, or seek out Christians who can steer you to “salvation” through Christ, so your eternal home can be Paradise. Your relationship with God and the fate of your eternal soul are at stake. How to treat authorities is especially important as it applies to God and Jesus Christ. God loves you. And May God Bless You!