God: The Authority Over Christians
What does the bible have to say about Christians and submission to authority? Are we just to submit to civil authorities blindly? And if not, How are we to engage with them as Christians. This week we take a look at scriptural passages from Mark 12:17; Romans 13:1, 6–8; and 1 Peter 2:13–17 on the subject of submitting to authority. In them, Jesus, Paul and Peter offer instruction on the subject of submitting to God’s authority and civil authority as it relates to the people of God. Jesus made it clear that we submit to civil authority the things that are due it. But given that we are created by God, we are to submit and surrender our lives to Him. Further on the subject of submitting to civil authority, I must also say that the bible also contains other relevant scripture that clearly demonstrate that God does not expect His people to passively suffer under oppressive and evil regimes. The bible is replete with examples of God sending His servants to speak truth to those in power to condemn oppressive and evil practices and policies(examples include Moses and Pharoah, Nathan and David, Isaiah and kings of Israel and Judah, Daniel and Nebudchadnezzar). I pray that we would all ask God to direct the paths of those in authority over us so that the lives of His people would be blessed. And where there is evil and oppression that is in violation of God’s character and will, He would give Christians the courage to speak up and speak out, as well as the heart to reach out in love and compassionate care for those who are suffering. Amen
Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
And they were amazed at him. (Mark 12:17)
Jesus made it clear to His disciples that His authority was not threatened by earthly civil authorities. Earthly authority is limited and temporary but God’s authority is sovereign and eternal. The tax was owed to Caesar because it was the cost of using his money. Therfore collection of taxes was under his authority. Jesus let His disciples know that it is our lives that are owed to God. And He wants our complete submission to His authority…. by surrendering our lives to Him.
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.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:1, 6–8)
Like Jesus, Paul exhorted members of the church in Rome to submit to civil authority. Paul said that civil authorities exist because God has established them. God allows various people in authority for His own purposes, including in some cases to punish us. Those in civil authority, as is the case for all of us, are servants of God. Despite their civil authority, God is still sovereign and has ultimate authority. As such, we are not bound to follow unrighteous laws or actions from those in positions of civil authority.
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor. (1 Peter 2:13–17)
Peter urged Christians to submit to civil authority. The reason was that Peter didn’t want the church to be instigators of chaos that would cause the authorities to punish them and thwart the advance of the gospel. God’s will is for Christians to do good work, and in doing so, silence those who have negative and malicious things to say about the church. Christians are to live completely surrendered to God and are to love one another. Additionally, we should show the proper respect to everyone including those in civil authority.
Jesus, Paul and Peter all clearly believed that civil authority should be followed within their sphere of authority. But all recognized God as the sovereign authority. Each spoke of submitting to God’s authority in the things that mattered to God. When Jesus said give to God what belongs to God, He knew that while Caesar’s face was on the Roman coins and belonged to him, God’s image is on every one of us and thus we belong to Him. Paul’s and Peter understood this and urged the church to get along with civil authorities so as not to impede the good work that God has given us to do. However, that did not mean that the church should not act and speak out to protect those whom the civil authorities may be causing harm. The church still has been called to be in the world but not conformed to the world. And where there is oppression, poverty, or other harms being perpetrated on people, we are not called to sit idly by, just praying and singing church hymns. We serve a God of justice and righteousness, love and order, grace and mercy. We are subject to civil authority, but that doesn’t mitigate our call to embrace God’s rejection of oppression and mistreatment of His people when that doesn’t align with the actions of the civil authorities. Because God is the final authority for Christians, we are called to surrender our lives to Him, embrace kingdom values, and live as followers of Christ.
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
