Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. - Romans 13:1 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. - Romans 13:5
When I’m driving and I see a police car or hear its siren, I don’t get nervous because I know I haven’t broken any laws. The law is not for the law-abiding citizen but it’s for the law-breaker. So I go on about my business as usual. However, if I see the police car riding directly behind me and flashing its lights for me to pull over, I’m obligated to stop. It doesn’t matter if I “like” the police or not…I find a safe place and pull over because of the authority of the officer. You see, I understand that the officer doesn’t have any authority by himself; it was given to him by an authority agency much higher than him. This is pretty much what Jesus told Pilate “you would have no power over me at all except it were given you from above“. (John 19:11)
That power that Jesus was talking about was from God His Father. You and I pull over because we understand that the authority the officer exercises comes from the One we serve and worship: Christ Jesus the LORD (He has ALL authority in heaven and earth). The key/goal/aim after getting pulled over is to get home safe! Get home to your wife, family or loved ones, get home to your kids so you can spend some more time with them, get back home safe so you can eat dinner and maybe watch a game or chill and relax, get home safe so you can get some rest and good sleep, and go to work the next day. But NONE of that will happen if you and I disobey and rebel against the authority that is requesting us to do something.
If you and I resist, there is a consequence: that “consequence” used to be just a resisting arrest charge or having a fine levied against us – now it is death my friend… a life ended tragically because it wouldn’t submit. You’re not just submitting to a police officer but you are ultimately submitting to GOD Himself!
Eccl 10:4 teaches us that if the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, leave not your place; for yielding pacifies great offenses. Resisting will always make matters worse – we see the tragic results almost every week in the news and social media. Brethren, we’re not weak if we submit – we actually show how strong we are in Christ…He submitted His life unto a greater good: to die for the sins of unrighteous and rebellious men so they can be called “sons of God”! (Please, get home safe)
GO.AHEAD!