WHOSE AUTHORITY SHOULD YOU RECOGNIZE?

"THE SUPERIOR AUTHORITIES"

The apostle Paul wrote:  "Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God."  Who are the "superior authorities"?  Paul's words in succeeding verses show that they are human government authorities.  (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1) Jehovah did not originate man's governmental authorities, but they exist by his permission.  So Paul could write:  "The existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God."  What does this indicate about such earthly authority.  (John 19:10, 11)  Therefore, when there is a conflict between man's law and God's law, Christians "must obey God as ruler rather than men." -Acts  5:29. 

Much of the time, however, the governmental superior authorities  act as 'God's minister to us for our good.'  (Romans 13:4)  In what ways?  Well, think of the numerous services the superior authorities provide, such as mail delivery, police and fire protection, sanitation, and educations."  That is why you are also paying taxes." wrote Paul "For they are God's public servants constantly serving this very purpose." (Romans 13:6)  With regard to taxes or any other legal obligation, we should "conduct ourselves honestly." -Hebrews 13:18. 

 At times, the superior authorities misuse their power.  Does this absolve us of our responsibility to remain in subjection to them?  No. It does not. Jehovah sees the misdeeds of these authorities.  (Proverbs 15:3) His toleration of man's rule does not mean that he winks at its corruption; nor does he expect  us to do so. Indeed, God will soon  "crush and put and end to all these kingdoms," replacing them with the rule of his own righteous government.  (Daniel 2:44) but until this occurs, the superior authorities serve a useful purpose.  

Paul explained:  "He who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God."  (Romans 13:2) The superior authorities are God's "arrangement" in that they preserve a measure of order , without which chaos and anarchy would reign.  Opposing them would be unscriptural  and senseless.  To illustrate:  Imagine that you had undergone surgery and stitches were securing the wound. Though the stitches are foreign to the body, they serve a purpose for a limited time.  Removing them prematurely could be harmful.  Similarly, human governmental authorities were not part of God's original purpose. Until his Kingdom is ruling the earth completely, however, human governments hold society together, performing a function that fits in with God's will for the present time.  We should thus remain in subjection to  the superior authorities, while we give priority to God's law and authority. 

Next time: WHOSE AUTHORITY SHOULD WE RECOGNIZE?/AUTHORITY IN THE FAMILY 

From the book: KNOWLEDGE That Leads to Everlasting Life