The Ultimate Authority
- Joe Palmisano
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Theme: Who is worthy and deserving of our submission?
As I struggled mightily to articulate my unease in writing about Pastor Dan’s message on Romans 13 this past Sunday, my wife, Kirby, commented that she had not seen me work this hard on much deeper messages in the past and that I may be, once again, majoring in minors. She often is right, but I could not give in. So, what is it about the 13th Chapter of Romans that causes me such problems?
The answer lies partially in Chapter 12. In the 12th Chapter of Romans, Paul writes, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, given God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2 NIV).
I am comfortable with dying to self and “offering my body as a living sacrifice.” I am learning not to conform to the world and long to be transformed into obeying only my Lord, God. Then comes Chapter 13, verses 1 and 2.
“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. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” (Romans 13:1-2 NIV).
What?
How can I serve two masters? I am a natural rebel against authority anyway, and you are asking me to serve two authorities?
Now, I do understand that all laws relating to how we interact with those who share our space, such as speed limits, taxes, laws affecting theft, murder, assault, etc., all stem from God. If we were just material beings who crawled from a swamp and won the battle of survival of the fittest, we would not even know what was wrong or right, but merely what worked for us to survive. So, it is God who gave us our moral knowledge, and that knowledge allowed the Law He gave Moses and, thus, the laws we have now. In that sense, God ordained governmental authority, so I will do well to pay taxes, obey speed limits, and not steal or kill.
However, if I truly submit to my Lord Jesus, die to self and all my selfish goals and desires, won’t I live at even a higher level than these laws and have no need for them? The answers I give myself are yes and no. Yes, in that I will love my neighbor and not want harm to come to him, and no, because I will not know the limit on my speed, what corner I must stop at, how much to pay the government, and more without guidance. Thus, God gives me love for Him and my neighbor, allowing me to live an unselfish, compassionate, and caring life. At the same time, His government provides the specifics I need to practically carry out this love and compassion.
We know from history and our own experience that no human government on this earth has been free from corruption, abuse, and injustice. Why, then, would Scripture command us to submit to it? I believe God is telling us to submit to the laws reflecting His good, which is the origin of them, so that we can live in harmony with those around us. After all, not all our neighbors know Christ nor believe in God, and all of us living without specifics would be chaos.
As I conclude this mental exercise, which you may or may not have considered necessary, let me address the most essential part of Pastor Dan’s instruction. We are to submit to the authority of our government but not place it above or equal to the authority of God. When earthly governmental authority crosses the line from practical living guidelines into trying to usurp the higher authority of God, we have no choice but to disobey, accepting that we may pay the price that many have, as was pointed out by Pastor Dan. God’s Law is supreme, and He is the only one who can demand complete and total submission.
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:16 NIV
“For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for the ability to contemplate and reason through your Word. It is through this that it becomes real and personal in our lives. Why do I fight against questions so much? Why do I want everything easily digestible and understood? Why do I feel as though I am wasting everyone’s time by even considering these things? Lord, I and smiling, thinking how my Salvation was all your work, but that I must now work it out with “fear and trembling.” As in the physical, you allow growth only through effort, and I am so grateful you do not allow me to coast. Amen
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