A Higher Authority

 A Higher Authority

 

The king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the LORD; he guides it wherever he pleases.

PROVERBS 21.1

 

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.

ROMANS 13.1

 

Jesus Christ . . . is the faithful witness to these things, the first to rise from the dead, and the ruler of all the kings of the world.

REVELATION 1.5

 

Open up the newspaper, turn on the television, or look online and you’ll read or hear strong opinions about the policies of our government or the people leading our government. It’s likely there are also some strong opinions at your house about the current president or party in power.

But regardless of what we think about our government and its leaders, God calls us to submit to all rulers — including leaders we disagree with, unfair bosses, and corrupt governments. When Paul writes in Romans 13.1 that those in authority have been placed there by God, he knows from Daniel 2.21 that “[God] controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.” All kings (and prime ministers) are under God’s ultimate control. He allows them to be put into office, and he allows them to be taken out of office.

We might wonder why God would allow a particular person or party with a clearly ungodly agenda to be in power over us. But the Bible teaches that God has the power to guide the “king’s heart” or to change any leader’s mind or policy. While God puts all human authority in place, there is a higher authority. Jesus said, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth” (Mt 28.18). And when we submit to earthly authority, we’re submitting for his sake. “For the Lord’s sake, respect all human authority — whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed” (1 Pet 2.13-14). We submit to human authority because it honours a higher authority, Jesus Christ.