Romans 13: 1-7 Respect for Authority
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. (Holy Bible – New Living Translation)
More than we will ever realise, the presence of God is ever so pervasive, even in times such as this. The current political developments in Perak seemed to be chaotic. But make no mistakes about it. The God of the Bible is a God of order from the book of Genesis to Revelation, therefore, He is fully in control and sovereign all things, even the intriques and conspiracies in Perak. This passage is only one of the many that tells us God is interested in our affairs, even in deciding who should form the government in Perak.
You mean God is interested in Perak? In the politics of Pakatan Rakyat and Barisan Nasional? The answer is an unqualified yes. You mean God puts Sultan Azlan Shah in the Istana in Kuala Kangsar to make the crucial decision at a most critical juncture in the history of Perak? Yes again. You mean God allowed the lawmaker from Umno to defect twice and to collect twice –once from each party? Surely yes. You mean God allowed the two lawmakers currently under corruption charges to make the switch? Yes. You mean God allowed the sole woman lawmaker to let down her own party? Yes, of course. You mean God allowed the 59-seat Perak State Assembly to hang 28:28 with the three who have just switched sides to hold everyone to ransom? Yes, of course.
What sort of God is this who would tolerate Judas and Brutus? An awesome one. A very awesome one. Of all the over six and a half billion people on this planet, this God watches over us and all those in Perak.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go both now and forever. (Psalm 121:7-8)
We must remember God even allowed His own Son to be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver. For a purpose. His purpose. This is not the same as saying God condoned all this. No, He doesn’t. He just allowed it to happen. Why? I don’t know. I only know He’s the Sovereign LORD. The LORD God Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth.
In the light of all this, we are left with one thing to do: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”
Of course, God is also giving us a choice whether to submit to the decision of Sultan Azlan Shah or otherwise. But remember, we and only we bear this responsibility of making the choice. Just don’t draw God into the folly of choices.
And just what would Jesus say?
“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Mathhew 5:9).
May the peace of the Lord be with you.Pray for Sultan Azlan Shah and all the Perak State Asemblymen and all and those in positions of authority (who) have been placed there by God. Amen.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
Tell that to the people of the Philippines who rose up against the tyranny of Marcos.
God will help those who help themselves. The people of Perak have the right to choose who will rule them. It is their God-given responsibility to make their preference clear. If those who wield power refuse to listen to them, it is the people’s right to demonstrate their disapproval.
If they sit around waiting for God to do their work for them, they may be bitterly disappointed.
February 6th, 2009 at 11:58 am
Too simplistic!
Wake up!
February 6th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
The challenge would be act out of love rather than anger. At the very least, the love for justice and the dignity of God’s creation must outweigh the anger against the system and its lackeys.
That is why I view Bob Teoh’s piece as timely. Nonetheless, I am still convinced that there is space, even in the Scriptures, for defiance, dissent and outright civil disobedience. That may be the missing ingredient in the post above.
February 7th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Dear Bob Teoh,
With respect, Romans 13 v 1 to 7 is not to be read as encouraging blind obedience to human authorities. Imagine substituting the words “governing authorities” with Hitler. It will read:
“Everyone must submit to Hitler. For Hitler comes from God, and Hitler had been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against Hitler is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.”
Now, I believe that God is sovereign and that He is in the shadows orchestrating events even in Perak for His purpose. But, that does not mean that the purpose is to encourage blind submission to human leaders whose appointment, legally speaking, is questionable.
I believe in a constitutional democracy like ours, we are called to obey the Constitution which is the supreme law of the land, not human leaders per se.
As for act of civil disobedience, I agree with Bob Kee. I think there is precedent in the resurrection of Christ where the Roman seal over the tomb was broken. That was an act of civil disobedience by Christ!
Warm regards,
Wong Fook Meng
Malacca
February 7th, 2009 at 10:06 pm
Fook Ming,
this is the first time I’m hearing the resurrection applied analogously to the act of civil disobedience.
That was a fantastic theological move relating to socio-political ethics!
Changgih!
It’s worth repeating … a quotable quote!
“there is precedent in the resurrection of Christ where the Roman seal over the tomb was broken. That was an act of civil disobedience by Christ!”
February 7th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Hi Sivin,
I first heard it from Dr Richard Mouw. So, not my original idea..but canggih indeed!
God bless Perak !
Fook Meng
February 10th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
I like the resurrection quote; really cool angle to take it.
On the other hand, recall why Jesus had to be resurrected in the first place – because he chose to exercise radical civil OBEDIENCE *for the sake of God’s love for the world*, enduring suffering and death so the ‘kingdom of God’ might come.
The Cross was not blind submission, but it wasn’t a demanding act of protest either. Jesus wasn’t anti-political, but neither is He ‘political’ in any sense that we’re witnessing nowadays in the country.
As usual, God keeps doing things we can barely fathom.
March 21st, 2009 at 8:51 am
No, God help those who are helpless.