Respect Human Authority

¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, ¹⁴ or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. (1 Peter 2:13-14)

God in His supreme glory and Majesty Has set systems of authority on earth to represent Him. There are three of these symbols of Authority God Himself set on Earth, these are the Church, the human authority (Government) and the Family. I would like to talk about the first two for the sake of time.

The church is the first symbol of God’s authority on Earth.  In the church, God through Christ gives the gift of leadership to believers in order to run His will in the church. The leaders are the Apostles, prophets, Evangelist, teachers, preachers and elders (Ephesians 4:11-16, Hebrews 13:7, 17). These faithful stewards of the Lord labor over the souls of believers to ensure Christ is formed in them (Galatians 4:19).

The second system of authority God Himself appoints is the human authority (1 Peter 2:13-15). This may be any form of government; could be an empire, kingdoms, monarchy, democracy or oligarchy etc. It is very crucial to be aware it is God who set this system, whatever leader that is there, the word of God expects us as believers to acknowledge them by doing what they ask us to do as far as it is in line with the word of God.

Also, the human authority may create separate institutions for social, financial, political or economic purposes with policies that will help minimise abuse, curtail corruption and other human decadence.

As believers, we should be aware that regardless of the government’s policies or blueprint, we are still expected to observe the laws, constitutions and basic regulations (1 Peter 2:12-15). We are to give honour to whom honour is due, pay taxes and be law abiding citizens (Romans 13:1-8).

The executive, legislative, judicial arms of government may be corrupt, however, we should recognise that they are answerable to God who appointed them. Common laws of security should be upheld; even as simple as traffic rules that the government provides should be observed. The police also are part of the authorities. It is demanded of every believer not to despise them simply because they’re corrupt.

As part of our civic responsibility, we are to participate in elections, pay taxes to the government and observe security tips. As you are eager to pay tithes and offering in the church, you should also be eager pay your taxes and declare your revenue to the human authority. Jesus Christ Himself paid tax (Matthew 17:24-27). He taught that we should give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give God what belongs to God (Mark 12:17). The Caesar’s lot here means the civic demands of human authority.

There is therefore need to understand that all human authorities are ministers of God, thus, must be equally respected. If they fail the people, it is God who will judge them eventually. If we only respect our spiritual leaders by giving heed to their instructions or counsel but despise the stipulated rules and injunctions of human authority, we are clearly disobeying the word of God, and that comes with severe consequences.

Rebelling/resisting against human authority is rebelling against God! Absolute obedience to God’s word should make us to respect both spiritual and human authorities, failure to do that results to consequences. God wants us to recognise His authority in these dimensions of power.

Prayer point:

Let’s thank God for the word, and also allow His word to guide us.