"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. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves." – Romans 13:1-2
While submission to authority is pleasing to God, there are some who blindly submit to ungodly authorities to His dismay. Submission is a very important matter to God, and He expects that leaders lead right, and followers follow well. For our part, however, we need to understand what submission really is, and what it's not.
What Is Submission?
Submission is defined as "the action or fact of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person." It simply means recognising and acknowledging the authority that a person has, and yielding to it if it is higher than yours.
This is best seen in the armed forces, where soldiers or personnel submit themselves to a higher-ranking official. Although a captain is higher than a lieutenant, it is still lower than a colonel, and has to submit to that authority.
This is also seen in the home, where children obey their parents, who are undoubtedly higher than them in terms of authority.
While lower-ranking personnel should submit to higher-ranking officials, they should never be commanded to do something that is not acceptable based on God's moral standards. Lower-ranking personnel should also avoid idolising their superiors, turning a blind eye to their wrongs.
What Submission Is and What It's Not
Submission, then, is a beautiful thing that brings order to our relationships, and ultimately to our lives, when done right. To help you see the limits of submission, here's what submission is, and what it's not.
Submission to Authority Means Honouring Them, Not Idolising Them – Revelation 19:10
Honouring our leaders is a great thing, but we must be careful never to idolise or worship them. A president, pastor, teacher, or father should be appreciated and honoured, but not excessively loved and worshipped.
Submission to Authority Means Following the Rules, Not Bypassing Them – 2 Timothy 2:5
When we submit to authorities, we simply follow the rules that have been set in place. Bypassing them even if one is close to the person in authority, however, isn't submission. Even if you're the son of a president, breaking the rules mean breaking the rules.
Submission to Authority Means Respecting Those in Position, Not Blindly Following Them – Acts 5:29
It's good to follow a leader's commands, but when the commands instruct us to commit sin against God, we must not follow them. Turning a blind eye towards a wicked leader's deeds and pronouncements is wrong.
Submission to Authority Means Following God Above All, Higher Than All – Matthew 4:10
In the first place, it was God's command that we submit ourselves to authorities. His authority is higher than any other, and therefore it is His authority that we should be honouring and obeying. No matter what a human leader says, it's God we must obey.
"You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him." (see Matthew 4:10)
