Governing Authorities
Let everyone be loyally subject to governing (civil) authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those who exist do so by His appointment. Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resist what God has appointed and those who resist will bring down judgement upon themselves. For civil authorities are not a terror to people of good conduct, but to bad behaviour Romans 13:1-3
Paul wrote this to Roman citizens who lived under a Caesar and depending on which one was in power, they would have been faced with persecution, deportation or tolerance.
Yet, I am sure, there would have been outspoken, disruptive Christians who attracted the Caesar's wrath. The zeal for martyrdom was so strong among these people that they may well have called attention to themselves just by there outspoken behaviour.
We were not there, but as I watch the civil unrest in many countries of the world I see people taking matters into their own hands, causing mass bloodshed and isolation of the masses. What is the right way?
In my own country I see demonstrations against government over money expected from the government or people refusing to allow their land to be used for exploration. In all that we oppose there is great feeling of injustice.
I experience that sense of injustice when I deal with bureaucracy in large government departments or legal framework of insurance companies. It angers me and frustrates me but how do I solve the problem? What moves the hand of God on my behalf? Prayer or angry attacks on those who oppose me? Whose department owns justice and mercy? Who's task is vengeance?
The frustrating answer is God, I am powerless at times, so I must go to Him for how to act. The act of humbling myself and depending on God cleans out all wrath and self, I can't say I like it but it works.
Paul wrote this to Roman citizens who lived under a Caesar and depending on which one was in power, they would have been faced with persecution, deportation or tolerance.
Yet, I am sure, there would have been outspoken, disruptive Christians who attracted the Caesar's wrath. The zeal for martyrdom was so strong among these people that they may well have called attention to themselves just by there outspoken behaviour.
We were not there, but as I watch the civil unrest in many countries of the world I see people taking matters into their own hands, causing mass bloodshed and isolation of the masses. What is the right way?
In my own country I see demonstrations against government over money expected from the government or people refusing to allow their land to be used for exploration. In all that we oppose there is great feeling of injustice.
I experience that sense of injustice when I deal with bureaucracy in large government departments or legal framework of insurance companies. It angers me and frustrates me but how do I solve the problem? What moves the hand of God on my behalf? Prayer or angry attacks on those who oppose me? Whose department owns justice and mercy? Who's task is vengeance?
The frustrating answer is God, I am powerless at times, so I must go to Him for how to act. The act of humbling myself and depending on God cleans out all wrath and self, I can't say I like it but it works.
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