Unlimited: For Your Good
Aug 31, 2023 417
For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good (Romans 13:4a).
In Paul’s cosmic world-view, those in authority in the world are servants of God for our own good. Those people in authority don’t even know that they have been put there under God’s auspices. But God views them as being responsible for upholding what is good and maintaining social order.
In the sense that they are meant to carry out God’s will for good in society, the civil authorities are God’s servants. Christians should submit to those in authority, obeying the laws of the land as far our obedience to God, in terms of worshipping God alone and preaching the Gospel, are not compromised.
In Paul’s cosmic world-view, those in authority in the world are servants of God for our own good.
This does not mean that they always do what is good or act in our interest. We know that politicians and leaders often act out of self-interest. There are nations in which the government is marked by great corruption. What are we to do in these circumstances?
Thankfully, we don’t live under the dictatorship of the Roman Empire today. Many of our societies have been transformed by good people, many of them followers of Jesus, who have stood up against injustice and for what is right. Many people today live in democratic countries where they have the right to influence the government through lawful means. We should use our voices and our votes for good.
Spiritual Application
If “the one in authority is God’s servant for your good,” do you pray for your government, rather than against it? Remember to pray for your government authorities today.
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