October 9, 2018
Who Trumps Trump?
Romans 13:1–2
Tawney Macfarlan
Central Truth
The Lord God Almighty created EVERYTHING! He placed the sun, moon, and stars in the sky. He knows every hair on our head, when we sit, when we rise, and our words before we say them. God created governments. So God trumps Trump—we are to pray for him and all in authority.
Romans 13:1–2
Submission to the Authorities
1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
Dive Deeper | Romans 13:1–2
This year, I celebrated, or rather acknowledged, my 60th birthday. When I was younger, I questioned being told to be subject or to submit. As a teenager, I kicked against the authority of my parents. At 22 and engaged to be married, I questioned submitting to my husband. The problem was not with God’s command, but my heart and mind. My heart was proud, thinking I knew better than God. My mind was misinformed, not knowing submission comes from understanding that God is sovereign—in absolute control of absolutely everything.
To be subject or submit involves placing oneself under the authority of another, doing or not doing what the authority requires. Paul is clearly instructing us that we are to be subject to governing authorities because they are in place and empowered by the Lord, who created all things (Colossians 1:16), controls the hearts of rulers (Proverbs 21:1), and tells us subjection to rulers is God's will (1 Peter 2:12-17). Paul goes on to explain that rejection of this command brings judgment. Webster's Bible Translation says it even more sternly: "Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." Ouch!
Obedience comes from a heart surrendered to God and brings blessings. Disobedience brings consequences.
Jesus is our great example. He willingly submitted to His Father’s will and laid down His life to pay for our sins and restore our relationship to the Father (John 10:18, 19:11; Luke 22:42-43). Through the apostle Paul, Jesus tells us to pray for rulers (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Ultimately, there is no authority except that which is given by the LORD, the King of kings (Isaiah 40:21-23; 2 Chronicles 20:6), and Jesus is the true King (Philippians 2:10-11).
My willingness to subject myself to rulers, to parents, to my husband . . . is directly related to the condition of my heart and mind. The more I know the LORD is good, the easier it is to submit to His good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). Praying for each of us to seek Our Father daily and to purpose to know Him more so we can trust Him completely.
This month's memory verse
A Living Sacrifice
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
– Romans 12:1–2
Discussion Questions
1. What is your response when told to be subject or submit?
2. A heart of rebellion to not "be subject" can come from a lack of knowing God is sovereign and in perfect, absolute control. Look at these verses and see what you learn about the LORD: Isaiah 40:21-23; 1 Chronicles 29:11-13; Psalm 45:6; 93:1-2; 95:3; 103:19; 115:3; 135:6; Proverbs 16:1-5, 9; Daniel 2:21.
3. We are to be subject to authority so far as it does not hinder our obedience to God. See Daniel 3, 6 and Acts 5:29 for examples of when we are to not submit or be subject.
4. What are some current day situations when we may need to disobey governing authorities? How can we be prepared to stand firm (1 Corinthians 15:58)?
5. Who are we to submit to?
- to leaders—Hebrews 13:17; Titus 3:1;
- to parents—Ephesians 6:1; Colossians 3:20;
- to husbands—Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18.
6. For further study, read Got Questions on submissiveness: https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-submissive.html.
7. For encouragement, watch this "That's My King" video: https://vimeo.com/131521077.