“Me, Submit? But I Know Better!”
Written by Sarah Ann E.

 

 

As I have been praying the last couple of weeks in preparation for writing this article, I dreaded to write about “submission.” I will admit I have greatly struggled this in area, especially during my teen years. I know very well what it is like to refuse to submit. Submitting is not an easy thing to do.

The title of my article, as you saw, is “Me, Submit? But I Know Better!” Does this sound familiar? I know that I have thought this many times. We try justify ourselves when we are not submitting and say that we know better. At times, that may be true. But it is not our place to stand against the authority that our Lord has placed in our lives.

We are going to be looking into our Lord’s Word and see why we must submit. Romans 13:1-6 deals with submitting to authority in our lives. Today, I will be concentrating on what this passage has to say about submission.

Romans 13:1-5 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities, For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.”

“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities, For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God” (v.1). What a verse to start out this passage on submission. It is commanding right from the first line that every person must be in subjection to governing authorities. This is not just talking about the government. A governing person is one who is in a place of exercising authority. All of us have people that are over us, parents, teachers, pastors, spiritual leaders, employers, police, government, and the list could go on. The second part of verse one tells us that all authority is God-ordained. He has put that authority in our lives. Verse one commands us to submit to the authority that our Lord has placed in our lives. It does not say that we must submit when we feel like it, when we just agree with them, or when their way is better. It does not say that we do not have to submit to them when we think that our way is better. There are no conditions for not submitting.

Our Lord has clearly commanded us that we must submit. So, when we are not submitting, we are clearly disobeying our Lord. Verse two, of Romans 13 says, “Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” This verse tells us what happens if we resist the authority in our life. We will “receive condemnation.” The dictionary explains condemnation as “an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong.” To have God’s disapproval on you is not going to be pleasant.

When I was in my mid to late teen years, I was in rebellion. I tried to keep my rebellion from showing outwardly. I tried to show that I was obeying my parents, but just wait till they were not looking and I would do my own thing. I was resisting all authority that was over me. I seriously thought that I was doing good, because I thought I knew myself better and what I was doing was good for me. During this time, I felt God’s disapproval on me. I was not as happy as I was before, when I knew that I was in the center of my Lord’s will. My times in the morning with the Lord were not sweet and most of the time was not spent on thinking about my Lord. Sadly, it took many years for me to repent and forsake my rebellious attitude.

At the beginning over verse 4, it says, “for it [submission] is a minister of God to you for good.” Submitting to the authority in our life is for our good. The Lord has ordained that specific authority in your life for a reason and He works all things out for good.

You may ask, “then what is the good that has come from your life in you submitting?” The biggest thing is that I have peace! I can look my Lord and my parents in the eye and be unashamed of myself in their sight. Those relationships have been mended and are becoming sweeter each day! As long as I know that I am submissive, I can confidently approach my Lord and know that I will have my prayers answered. There is nothing more precious to me than having a right relationship with my Lord.

I pray that you will search your heart and see if you are not being submissive to the Lord or any authority in your life. When we are submissive to our Lord, we will have blessed peace and contentment in Him! Let your Lord rule your life, and let His commands be carried out, not ignored.

 

 

 

 

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