Honoring Authority

Good Morning! 

Under normal circumstances, today would be the day all Americans would be required to file their income tax returns … but, because of COVID-19, the date has been extended to July 15. This applies to both the Federal taxes and to the State of Georgia taxes. 

The news has been filled with several stories about churches that have met in defiance to the shelter-in-place orders. Some churches have met in their parking lots, with members sitting in their cars.  Other churches have opened their doors but observed the six-foot rules regarding social distancing.  My home church has opted to meet virtually … with Bible study and prayer meetings being broadcast via Zoom and the weekly worship service being pre-recorded and broadcast over the internet via Facebook. 

One of the issues facing Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic is the impact on personal freedoms.  Our Constitution provides Americans freedom of assembly.  However, we have elected people to serve us as a people collectively.  If they do their job correctly, they will carefully consider any rule that might impact our rights under the Constitution.  Admittedly, some do and some do not.  My position is to assume initially that they are doing their job but to analyze their actions during the process.  For example, in one instance in Mississippi, parishioners were given tickets for each person in the car at one church that was parking-lot gathering.  That, to me, was an overreach … as every parking lot in every Walmart and every grocery store is full of people as they shop. 

On the other hand, there is a church in Kentucky that openly gathers, with the preacher promising to pay any fines incurred.  From my perspective, the preacher is not teaching his parishioners correctly.  Here is Paul’s teaching regarding believers interaction with government …

Romans 13:1-7 English Standard Version (ESV)

Submission to the Authorities

13 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. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Verses 1-4 tell us to realize that the persons who have been elected to serve us are in their position by the will of God.  Does that mean that God approves of everything the person does? No … not anymore than God approves of everything that I do or you do.  And does that mean that we must stand silent when we disagree with their actions?  No … we still have to privilege of speaking in opposition and promoting the opposing view.  But it does mean that we show respect to those who are in leadership positions … and be obedient up to the point where their actions are in conflict with Scriptural teachings. [That means, we need to know what Scriptural teaching apply … study to show yourself approved, a workman that need not be ashamed.]  In being obedient, we honor God, believing He is able to direct the one in authority for our good.

The “therefore” statement in verse 5 is the key verse … we are obedient not only to avoid God’s wrath but for conscience.  We have no need to fear when we are obedient.  We know we have obeyed … and we can exercise our right to protest via appropriate means.  We can voice our disagreement to our leaders by way of letters, phone calls, email and the like.  If we feel really aggrieved, we can seek legal action … being careful to be obedient during the process, trusting that God will bring about a correct judgment. 

Paul completes his thought by pointing to the actions we are to take … pay taxes to those to whom taxes are owed; revenue to those to whom revenue is owed; and, most importantly, honor to whom honor is owed.  Sometimes this is not easy. 

My point is, on this good day, that God wants us to live in a manner that promotes civility among all.  Yes, there are times when civil disobedience should apply … but these should be rare – not a constant lifestyle.  Otherwise, civil disobedience loses its impact.

Above all, let’s not let our response to COVID-19 display in us a lack of trust in God and His guidance to those in authority.  I believe all of our leaders are bearing up under a heavy burden. They face making decisions that could impact many of their constituents.  You and I can help by praying for each one … even if we disagree with them.  We can offer them our support and our counsel, speaking in soft tones that will be heard more clearly.  And we can obey … leading others to do the same.

God bless you on this good, good day.

Agape’

Mr. Jim