Young people, children, and grandchildren are back in college or school. They go from the lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer to college or school to learn things that will be helpful to them. It is an exciting and serious time for them.
Respect for authority is basic to our well-being. We are answerable to someone who has authority over us. Authority is the right or power of someone to command action from others expecting obedience from them. Respect is to esteem or regard duly constituted authority.
A centurion came to Jesus pleading with Him to heal his servant (Matt. 8:5-13). This centurion understood authority. He said, "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this on, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it" (Matt. 8:9).
Respect for authority begins in the home. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Eph. 6:1). A child's obedience to his parents should come not only from his love, gratitude, and esteem for his parents, but especially from his respect for God.
When our children were in school we expected them to respect and obey their teachers. They knew that if we got a call from one of their teachers about their misconduct in school, then they understood that they would be disciplined for that.
One of the things I remember from my parents when I was a student in school was that there was no good reason to get below a "C" in conduct on my report card. I understood that if I got below a "C" in conduct, then I would be on the receiving end of the "board of education." My parents knew that academics was a different matter, but there was no good reason not to get an "A" or "B" in conduct. My parents expected me to behave myself in school.
Respect for authority is also to be shown toward civil government. "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities" (Rom. 13:1). "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good" (1Pet. 2:13-14).
Civil government exists as a divine ordinance. God has not ordained a specific type of civil government, but He has not ordained chaos or confusion. God and we do not necessarily approve of every ruler's actions or decisions, but leaders in civil government represent the authority of God on earth. Even though earthly governments can become corrupt and tyrannical, that does not disprove their divine origin. We are to obey the laws of the land as long as they do not conflict with God's law. If there is a conflict, then we are to obey God, not man (Acts 5:29).
I don't remember who gave me this advice, but it is good advice. Whenever a police officer pulls us over for a traffic violation, we should say only three things: "Yes, sir," "No, sir," or "Thank you, sir." If we say anything more than that, then we may be in trouble.
Respect for authority is also to be seen in religion. The Bible teaches us that it is our duty to fear God and keep His commands (Eccl. 12:13-14). God gave Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). Jesus delegated His authority in matters pertaining to divine revelation to His apostles (Matt. 16:19;18:18). Jesus delegated His authority in matters of judgment with regard to the affairs of a local church to elders (Acts 20:17, 28).
We would do well to submit ourselves to duly constituted authority in the home, in the government, and in the church.
-Scott Vifquain
Respect for authority is basic to our well-being. We are answerable to someone who has authority over us. Authority is the right or power of someone to command action from others expecting obedience from them. Respect is to esteem or regard duly constituted authority.
A centurion came to Jesus pleading with Him to heal his servant (Matt. 8:5-13). This centurion understood authority. He said, "For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this on, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it" (Matt. 8:9).
Respect for authority begins in the home. "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (Eph. 6:1). A child's obedience to his parents should come not only from his love, gratitude, and esteem for his parents, but especially from his respect for God.
When our children were in school we expected them to respect and obey their teachers. They knew that if we got a call from one of their teachers about their misconduct in school, then they understood that they would be disciplined for that.
One of the things I remember from my parents when I was a student in school was that there was no good reason to get below a "C" in conduct on my report card. I understood that if I got below a "C" in conduct, then I would be on the receiving end of the "board of education." My parents knew that academics was a different matter, but there was no good reason not to get an "A" or "B" in conduct. My parents expected me to behave myself in school.
Respect for authority is also to be shown toward civil government. "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities" (Rom. 13:1). "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good" (1Pet. 2:13-14).
Civil government exists as a divine ordinance. God has not ordained a specific type of civil government, but He has not ordained chaos or confusion. God and we do not necessarily approve of every ruler's actions or decisions, but leaders in civil government represent the authority of God on earth. Even though earthly governments can become corrupt and tyrannical, that does not disprove their divine origin. We are to obey the laws of the land as long as they do not conflict with God's law. If there is a conflict, then we are to obey God, not man (Acts 5:29).
I don't remember who gave me this advice, but it is good advice. Whenever a police officer pulls us over for a traffic violation, we should say only three things: "Yes, sir," "No, sir," or "Thank you, sir." If we say anything more than that, then we may be in trouble.
Respect for authority is also to be seen in religion. The Bible teaches us that it is our duty to fear God and keep His commands (Eccl. 12:13-14). God gave Jesus all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt. 28:18). Jesus delegated His authority in matters pertaining to divine revelation to His apostles (Matt. 16:19;18:18). Jesus delegated His authority in matters of judgment with regard to the affairs of a local church to elders (Acts 20:17, 28).
We would do well to submit ourselves to duly constituted authority in the home, in the government, and in the church.
-Scott Vifquain