Tag: subject

Subject To Authority

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“Subject To Authority” By Kirk Hunt

 

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.

Romans 13:1 NKJV

 

The Epistle to the Romans is generally considered to have been written sometime in the years 55-57 AD. Paul’s letter is addressed to Romans saints living under the reign of Nero in pagan Rome. Clearly not a government a devout Jew-turned-Christian wanted to be subject to.

 

Paul used his dual Roman-Jewish citizenship to preach throughout the Roman world. Frequently, he found himself in conflict with local government. Still, he remained faithful to his true King, even if he remained subject to a “local” government.

 

Paul’s direction to accept civil government is not based in politics or mere acceptance. With all of his earthly power and authority, Nero ruled in light of God’s sovereign and absolute command over all of creation, time and space. Our confidence as Christians is not in human rulers but in our loving God who appoints them.

 

Christians should be the obedient and dutiful subjects of God. In addition to our primary citizenship, we have a secondary obedience to an earthly government. The problem comes if the earthly conflicts with the heavenly.

 

Our solution is a simple one. We are subjects, first and foremost, of the Kingdom of God. A saint of God turns first to Scripture before he or she responds to a local government. It is our first loyalty to God that makes saints the best subjects of all.

 

Think:             Am I, first and foremost, a good citizen of God’s Kingdom?

 

Pray:               “Lord, help me to be a loyal and faithful subject of Your Kingdom.”

 

 

Copyright © October 2015, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.

Follow Your Leadership

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“Follow Your Leadership” by Kirk Hunt

 

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

Romans 13:1 KJV

Paul is writing to Christians leaving in pagan Rome.  The most likely Caesar or Emperor of the time?  The notorious Nero.

 

Why did not Paul tell the Christians of Rome to take up arms?  Because all governments are ordained by God.  Ordained is defined as invested officially, or appointed by authority.

 

Does being subject mean following every direction a secular leader gives?  Had the Roman Christians been more obedient to Nero, fewer of them would have been martyred.  Still, they lived and worked in a society with radically different beliefs and morals.

 

Modern day Christians live and work using beliefs and morals radically different from the society-at-large.  Like our ancient Roman brothers and sisters, we are called to live out our lives as light and salt.  Most Western Christians do so without the threat of real or serious persecution.

 

What should modern-day Christians do?  First, remain subjects of the King of heaven.  Second, be subject to the secular government God placed ordained for you.

 

Will you agree with everything?  I hope not.  Still, you must be a good citizen of two Kingdoms.  I am sure you know which has priority.

 

Think:             I am called to live and work as salt and light under the current government.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to be a good subject first of You, then of the earthy leaders you ordain.”

 

 

Copyright © August 2012, Kirk Hunt

This devotional is a ministry of https://devotionals.cadremenpress.com.