Obeying Authority

Lately, the topic of authority seems to be everywhere in my life, whether it is on the news about the new President, at church, or at my new job. I think it is important as Christians that we remind ourselves that God places a high value on authority because He is the one who created it. The Bible says that all authority comes from and starts with God. He is the absolute source of authority in the universe, and has delegated His principle of authority to us to maintain order in the world.

“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

Romans 13:1-2

I think it would be safe to say that our attitude toward Christ as our Lord, is directly associated with our attitude toward other authority. Jesus Christ cannot be fully “Lord” over the person who acts in rebellion toward authority figures. The Bible says, “Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.”

Considering how our attitude toward all authority relates to our submission to the “Lordship” of Christ, we should especially be sensitive to the authority of the Church and spiritual leaders, who have specifically been assigned to lead the Church. The Bible says in Hebrews 13:17, to “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you."

Even more important than secular authorities, Christians must be cooperative with their spiritual leaders, who have been given the responsibility to “watch for their souls.” Another way you could take this verse is that it appears that all Christians are supposed to be under the authority of a spiritual leader. This would also mean that all believers should be a part of a local Church which has spiritual supervision by a pastor and elders.