SJF - Daily Worship, Spirit and Word - Dec. 30, 2023
Only those who are under authority have authority. Authority flows from authority. Spiritual authority flows from God. Natural authority flows from government. Governments are authorized by God. When governments try to establish their own authority without receiving authority from God, become tyrannical. In order to receive authority from God, we must first submit to God. After Paul tells us to submit to government because they wield the sword of justice, he tells us how to live so that government is not a threat to us. Pay taxes, Do good, Give Honor and Respect, Stay out of debt, Love people. When you love people, you do not commit adultery, murder, steal, bear false witness, or do any harm to others. When government is no longer submitted to God and becomes tyrannical and starts bearing the sword for evil instead of justice, Pray that God will set it right. Government answers to God, and God answers the faithful prayers of His sons and daughters. Remember what Jesus said about the commander who recognized the authroity that Jesus has over sickness? The commander's understanding of authority constituted 'great faith'.
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:1–10, NKJV)