RESPECT FOR RIGHTFUL AUTHORITY
LESSON FOR THE JUNIOR CLASSES
STUDY SCRIPTURE:
MARK 12 17 ROMANS 13:1_6-8 1 PETER 2 13_17
Key Verse
“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake. Or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well”.
1 Peter 2:13,14
INTRODUCTION
Every young person knows that whenever a Parent or a senior tell them that they have to do something that they really do not want to do they feel upset and get very emotional. Sometimes they might even refuse to do what those in authority over them such as parents or elders in the church want them to do. Remember however that this does not mean that you do not have to think for yourself and apply your common sense to every situation that you face, for God does not want people to lead you into doing things that He does not approve of. So do not suspend your common sense. God does not want you or anybody else to do evil. The Bible is pretty strict when it says that you must obey God rather than man so make sure you obey the commandments of God. That is the most important
But the problem of submission to those who are in authority over you is a common problem that people all over the world experience. Young people, as they grow older want to be more and more independent even though they generally cannot pay all their expenses by themselves. So they want to be independent even though they really cannot afford it.
The problem is however that even when they grow up they find that the cost of living is much too high and they get into uncomfortable financial and relationship situations, simply because they want to be independent and make their own decisions without referring these decisions to somebody more experienced than they. So in these times of economic difficulty you find that people have to move back home to live with their parents and come under the control of their parents even though they do not like it. They do it because they cannot help themselves. In that situation you have to make sure you are very close to God, talk to Him about your situation, ask for His advice, and then follow what He instructs you to do.
God of course knows human nature. He would like everyone young and old to come to Him and discuss matters before they make decisions. He knows everything and He has all power and He wants to communicate this idea to every single human being young and old. But people often have difficulty with that so when God sees the difficulties we have.
God has decided to establish certain rules and place people in positions of authority to help those that are not quite able to help themselves. It is better that way it is better to trust God for He knows everything that is perfect and right. If God did not establish people in authority there would be chaos and evil doers will overwhelm everybody. But still there are problems for some times the rules that God established and the helpers God has placed beside people give advice and direction that people do not like, for they feel proud of them selves, and want to prove that they do need help.
But God reminds us that He created the world and He owns everything and that every one of us young and old are really stewards or tenants when we own property and live in any community. God has spiritual power which rules over everything. When rulers and people in authority do what is wrong God will certainly take care of them and it won’t be pleasant for them.
When God established people in authority over us, if they do not behave properly according to the commandments and laws of God, that gives us quite a bit of trouble for we then ask ourselves why we should obey them when they are not doing what is right in the sight of God. Sometimes we know what is right in the sight of God but sometimes we don’t, and sometimes we don’t know that it is God in the background that is directing these people that are in authority.
God therefore advises young people especially as well as older people to submit themselves to the laws of the country in which they are living. God established governors and rulers not to do evil, but to punish evildoers. God established people in authority to look after the welfare of those people in the country that are doing well come and living good lives and being a help to those around them.
Being in submission is not always easy for we have our pride. But we must remember that it is God that is behind everything and that He will eventually punish those leaders that are not doing as he has instructed to them. Patience sometimes is not an easy thing to have. But the more patient you are the stronger you will become spiritually and the better life will be for you.
So keep in mind that God loves you and Hhe cares for you. He wants the best for you. Even though sometimes those in authority do not seem to be behaving that way what we have to learn to do is to pray to God and talk to God about the situation.
Remember we are in a spiritual house, in a spiritual family, and we are therefore children of God and God loves His children. God says over and over again in the Bible that he especially cares for children, people who have lost their wives or husbands, people who are helpless, those who are hungry and do not have possessions to maintain them, God is loving and kind and He wants us to be like Him. He will always arrange things that is best for us even though sometimes it is difficult for us to understand what he is doing., So let us beware of what we do and let us learn to thank God and ask Him for help in times of difficulty.