The Blessing of Submitting
Pastor Troy Thomas
Bethel Church, Louisiana
There are blessings in submitting to authority.
Romans 13:1, 3-4, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers…For rulers (authorities) are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Will thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
2 Peter 2:10 “But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities (authorities).”
As I have said before, there is no excuse for the horrific death of George Floyd. The question came to my mind: “Would I want to be treated like Mr. Floyd? Would I want to be suffocated to death?” The answer is a resounding NO, NO, NO!!! Many people are giving their opinion on what needs to be done to better our country concerning police and race relations. As I make these following statements, I am dealing with one of the ROOTS of the problem.
Listen, every time I have gotten into trouble, I was NOT submitting to AUTHORITY properly. Let me repeat myself. EVERY TIME I HAVE GOTTEN INTO TROUBLE, I WAS NOT SUBMITTING TO AUTHORITY PROPERLY. How can we receive the blessing of the authority, if we DESPISE that authority? When we DESPISE authority it makes it very difficult to enjoy the good that that authority is ordained by God to do.
The rulers, authorities, and officials can make our lives difficult OR peaceful. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) We understand that there are wicked people in governmental offices sometimes. We understand that a few policemen are wicked. We must remember that the office of the leader is ordained of God, even if the leader is not controlled by God 24/7.
What would have happened to the black man who was shot dead in the Wendy’s parking lot if he had submitted to the arresting officers? He would not have fought the officers and gotten shot. He probably would have gone to jail, paid a bondsman, and been released after a while. MAYBE HE WOULD STILL BE LIVING TODAY. When I think of many of the incidents of people killed by policemen, they probably would be living now had they submitted to and obeyed the police.
What a wonderful blessing is gained when we submit to and obey proper authority. We do our children a disservice when we do not teach them proper respect for authority. With that said, we should not obey any authority when it goes against our ultimate authority, who is God. Check this out. I can submit to (respect) an earthly authority without obeying that authority. SUBMISSION IS AN ABSOLUTE; OBEDIENCE IS RELATIVE. We should always submit (respect), even when we can’t obey. We should submit to each other in the fear of God.
I have scars on my head now that I received when I was a nine-year-old boy. All because I REFUSED to submit and obey the authority of my mom.That was over 50 years ago. I can still see the results of my rebellion to Mom’s authority now. Remember Isaiah 1:19-20, “If you be willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land: BUT if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it!”