How Shall We Then Live?

The word, “submission,” almost always brings to mind thoughts of unwanted control over some part of your life.  And for that reason, the old nature of sin does not want to submit, because IT wants control!!  Being aware of this truth, the Spirit of God led the Apostle Paul to address the relationship of believers to the government under which they were living.  Before Jesus was born, the Jews had already tried to rebel against the evil Roman government, and it did not end well.  Some had believed that the Messiah would come to deliver them from the rule of Rome, and in large part, when it became clear that was not what Jesus was going to do, their disappointment was why they cried out, “Crucify Him!”  But now, following Jesus’ resurrection and the pouring out of His Spirit, Paul and others were carrying the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the Roman Empire, and those who believed were learning about the freedom that was now theirs through faith in Jesus Christ.  They were being taught that Jesus Christ was Lord … not Caesar … so it was not surprising that they would have questions about the role of government and their submission to its authority.  Since Jesus is Lord, why should believers submit to any earthly authority?  Paul answers that question with one sentence:  “There is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God” (Romans 13:1).  Living in the year 2024, many believers need to hear this message and to understand the role of government in our lives, as well as our response as disciples of Jesus Christ.  It is not a matter of “opinion,” but rather, a right understanding of God’s Word that will bring clarity to this important issue in our day.