I've been waiting to hear systematic teaching on the topic of submitting to Authorities, over that which is pithy and without full context. It’s interesting when some Pastors outright say, “The Bible says Christians must obey Government” without communicating the reality of how to walk this truth out in real life. Submitting to Caesar and God is used against believers ignorantly. We only hear the first part of Romans 13 without the second part being communicated. There is an obvious truth to it, duh, but are we hearing it?
Most heroes in the Bible are looked up to because they did not obey Governmental authorities. 😳 When reading what Jesus and Paul said and putting it in the context of the whole of Scripture, we will see more clearly what we are instructed to do. As Jesus said, “render to Caesar what is Caesars, and to God what is Gods” there is clarity in that command.
There are situations where submission is necessary, and we must learn where we are and where we are not to submit.
Why didn’t the midwives in Egypt obey the authorities? And in their disobedience were blessed by God. Daniel did not submit to the laws of the Medes and Persians. His life was put on the line by man but not God. God spared his life as an example for us. We have Shadrach, Meshach, and a “Bad brother with an Afro,” who did not comply. You might say, "well they were being asked to sin against God." Well, yes, but they also wouldn’t eat the food offered when they were selected to be leaders in Babylon. What they were being asked seemed like an easy Caesar command to honor. But they did not render this diet to Caesar, but to God. It caused changes in the rest of the leadership's diet in the end. God blessed their choice not to comply.
Peter, and James, were also blessed by God for not obeying the Authority on earth over them. When Jesus said, “render to Caesar” he chose to qualify it by adding, “and to God…” Not everything belongs to those in authority over us, though they choose to make laws governing everything. Still, it is not what God gave them as their responsibility. Caesar ONLY deserves the coin with his face on it. Meaning there are boundaries God set for human Authority. Jesus reminded Pilate he, Pilate, had no power save what God gave him.
What is that power/authority?
Romans 13 says they have been given the power to be the instruments of his wrath against evildoers. And God uses the Authorities to protect the righteous who should have no fear of Governing Authorities when they are leading God’s way. This is the authority God has given to those over us. No more, no less is offered to them by God. Not according to Scripture. This is also what we vote men and women into office to accomplish. Canada, European Nations, and American Authorities are not living up to what God made them responsible for.
Sadly, we are getting what we've lazily voted in. God is allowing us to see what the abdication of our spiritual responsibility will do and has done. America, especially, was formed to offer us Christian-Judeo principles, Biblical leadership and living.
Peter addresses this also in his first epistle. He reminds his readers that they, "submit for the Lord’s sake to every human institution… as sent by (God) for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.” Yet, we hear from pulpits to submit to Authority. No caveats, no explanation. If any are offered, they say, "but not if they are asking you to sin." Well, that is true, but not everything has Caesar's face on it. The Scripture defines what does. God limits the power of those in authority. In our case he is giving us what we have in our apathy allowed to be in authority over us. It doesn't mean it is what he wants, but he will allow it, so we learn, turn, and obey.
These passages sadly have been badly exegeted. Believers turn against each other over masks, vaccines, and other stupidity that has nothing to do with submitting to Caesar. Submitting to Authorities must be understood in context to all of Scripture. When these verses are pulled out of context, eisegesis, we may find that we don't even render to God what is Gods.
The confusion over submitting to Caesar and submitting to God has become a hammer that folks knock over our heads. This Covid situation really unveiled our ignorance. Many Pastors are not teaching what the Scriptures communicate. Some out of ignorance, others for control.
Don't be hornswoggled or manipulated any longer! Test all things, hold to what is true.
Comentários