Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.Romans 13:1-5

Dear God, I would say that Paul was naive to say this, but I know it was written to Romans during a Roman Empire that could be ruthless towards Christians so it makes me think I’m missing a context that would change his meaning from what I’m reading this morning. Reading it just leaves me thinking, what is he talking about?

It’s not like I’m a rebellious person, but does all authority really come FROM you? I can see where you allow rulers and authorities to come over us when we go our own way as a society. I also believe, however, in civil disobedience. I believe in the ability to stand up to authority and tell it that it is wrong. Even Paul pushed back against authority to the point where he was imprisoned and killed. So where is this passage coming from? What is he really talking about?

Father, if this passage is telling me that to reject all government because I only recognize you or my church as my authority is wrong because I also need to subject myself to the society within which I live and accept its governmental authority then I’m okay with it. But if it’s telling me that you put Hitler in charge and those in Germany in 1933-1945 should have been willingly subject to him then I’m sorry, but I don’t think that reflects your heart. So I assume I’m missing something from Paul here. I’ll need to ask him for some clarification when I get there one day. 😉

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen