Everybody Submits To Somebody

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.

Romans 13:1

As mentioned earlier, the Scottish reformer Samuel Rutherford published Lex, Rex, or The Law and the Prince in 1644. In this book, he challenged the prevailing notion of the divine right of kings—that whatever the king says is the law. Rutherford reminded rulers that they are not authorities unto themselves, but they are all under God’s authority. God is the ultimate source of all authority in this world.

No matter how much authority we think we have in any setting, we quickly discover there is someone with more. But no one’s authority is ultimate, for all authorities are ultimately subject to God. From parents to potentates, the apostle Paul reminds us that God establishes all authorities on earth. Unless an authority requires us to break a law of God, we should make submission and honor a part of our lives (Acts 5:29).

Who are the authorities in your life? If there are some you find it difficult to submit to, make it a practice to pray diligently for them. It’s hard to resist someone you’re praying for.

Submission to authorities shows we understand the nature of authority.