When Authority Became a Dirty Word

Standing Firm in Shifting Sands: The Gospel in a Transformed Culture | The Assault on Authority | Day 1

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” (Romans 13:1, NIV)

Good morning, friends! Have you noticed how the word “authority” has become almost toxic in our culture? Whether it’s parental authority, governmental authority, or pastoral authority, we’re living in a time when submission to any authority is viewed with deep suspicion. This morning, we begin exploring why this cultural shift matters deeply for the Gospel and your walk with Christ.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church in Rome during the reign of Nero, hardly an ideal ruler. 

Yet even then, Paul declared in Romans 13:1-2: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”

This isn’t a call to blind obedience to human authorities. Scripture is clear about that, as we’ll explore later this week. Rather, Paul reveals something foundational: God Himself designed authority structures for human flourishing. When we reject the very concept of authority, we’re not just rejecting human institutions; we’re rejecting God’s wisdom and design.

Authority Established in Every Sphere

Consider how God established authority from the beginning. In the family, He instructs children in Ephesians 6:1-3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’, which is the first commandment with a promise, ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” Notice that obedience to parental authority comes with blessing attached. God knows that children thrive when they learn to honor authority.

In the church, God appointed leaders for our spiritual good. Hebrews 13:17 tells us: “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.” Faithful pastors carry the weight of shepherding souls, a weight they will answer for before God. Our submission to their biblical teaching isn’t oppression; it’s God’s protection over us.

Even in the broader society, God established governmental authority. First Peter 2:13-14 instructs: “Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” We submit not because every authority is perfect, but because God ordained the structure itself.

Learning to Submit to God Through Human Authority

Why does this matter so much? Because learning to live under authority prepares us to live under God’s authority. When our culture teaches us from childhood that all authority is suspect, that questioning and resisting authority is virtue, we’re being trained in pride, the very sin that caused Lucifer’s fall and brought death into our world.

The Gospel itself requires us to acknowledge God’s authority over our lives. When Jesus Christ commands in Mark 1:15, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” He’s calling us to turn from our self-rule and submit to His rightful reign. We cannot receive the Gospel while clinging to the belief that we are our own final authority. This is why the cultural assault on authority is so spiritually dangerous. It systematically removes the very posture required to receive God’s grace, the humble recognition that we need Someone greater than ourselves to save us.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I confess that my heart naturally resists authority. I want to be in charge of my own life, to call my own shots, to be accountable to no one. Forgive me for this pride. Thank You that You established authority structures not to oppress me but to bless me, protect me, and teach me to trust You.

Help me today to honor the authorities You’ve placed in my life, parents, employers, government leaders, pastors, recognizing that in honoring them, I honor You. When those authorities fail or overstep, give me wisdom to know the difference between respectful disagreement and rebellious pride. Teach me the joy of living under Your good and perfect authority. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

As you move through your day, you’ll encounter various authorities, perhaps a boss at work, a police officer on the road, or instructions from a government agency. Instead of our culture’s default posture of suspicion and resistance, pause and remember: God designed these structures for your good. They’re training grounds for learning to trust your heavenly Father’s perfect authority. When you submit to rightful human authority, you’re practicing the humility that opens your heart to receive everything God wants to give you in Christ.

Praise:

Praise be to our God who rules over all with perfect wisdom and justice! We praise You, Lord Jesus, for Your willingness to submit to the Father’s will, even unto death on a cross. We praise You, Holy Spirit, for working in our stubborn hearts to produce humility and trust. How gracious You are!

To God be the glory.

Pray, praise, and give thanks, for God is good and His mercy endures forever.

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