Interacting with government authorities

Romans 13:1 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Let me give the sense of Paul’s admonition regarding submission to authority from the concepts contained in the Greek words. Every person is to arrange themselves under those God has placed over him or her as an act of service to God for the good of the person in authority. Paul was telling the Roman believers to recognize those to whom God has given jurisdiction—those who have been given the right to speak—over your lives. We should still consider this as an outworking of the mercies of God and their application to our lives. It is a continuation of what a living, holy sacrifice, that is acceptable to God, looks like. There may be a continuity of thought from the previous verses regarding how believers are to do good to their enemies or those who persecute them. As we live to love with Jesus, we are to recognize and honor those God has placed over us by arranging ourselves under them for their highest good. What is their highest good? To bring glory to God through their service to those God has placed in their jurisdiction. The only way God gets glory is for them to arrange themselves under His jurisdiction. They glorify God by loving their subjects, that is, exercising authority for their highest good. So today’s live to love Scripture encouragement speaks to both those in authority and those under authority. We might ask ourselves two questions as we relate to others. What is their highest good, and how can I bless them in such a way that they give glory to God? Paul later commented in Romans 13:8, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” More than likely we will all interact with governing authorities either directly or indirectly today. May living to love with Jesus be the goal of our interactions. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com