Today's passage is definitely a proof text for the sovereignty of God. Submit to governing authorities because they are put there by God himself. It seems well and good, but the difficult part comes when you read about Adolf Hitler governing Germany, Saddam Hussein in Iraq, etc. Did God really institute them as governing authorities?
I know there are several different ways to look at this, and I wonder sometimes if we can truly understand the sovereignty of God. To what degree does God display His sovereignty? His ways are not our ways, and we are silly to think we understand exactly how God works. What is definitely stated in this text is that whoever the governing authorities are, we are to be subject to them.
It seems to be a common theme in passages about submission, but Paul says to do good so that we will gain God's approval. Do good, give people what is due them, whether it is taxes, revenue, respect, or honor. But owe no man anything but to love him. Crazy words, but that's what it means to be a resident alien. It means people looks at how you live and think it is crazy.
Submission! It is not as evil as it sounds. Christ is our example to follow. What area of your life is God telling you to submit to Him right now?
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