How we deal with authority over us can show us a lot

Scripture Read: Titus 3:1 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2 to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men.  

Application: We all struggle with bringing ourselves under the control of someone else. It is interesting that Paul uses two different words to communicate one truth … 

Subject - ὑποτάσσω hupotássō To place under in an orderly fashion. To be subject.

Obediant - πειθαρχέω peitharchéō To obey a person in authority; hence generally to obey;  In the NT πειθαρχέω denotes obedience due both to men and to God. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

When telling Titus what to teach to encourage his people to do what the Lord would desire, Paul leaves no doubt. First, we are to “place ourselves” under the control of our rulers and authorities, in other words just plain old obey. Giving them both superiority in position and accountability. Paul mentions nothing about whether we like or agree with said authorities. He just states that we need to see them as above us in rank and obey. Obviously the line is drawn when it comes to them demanding something against God (Acts 4:19). However, that is not where most of us run into our problem. It is more along the line of we don’t like what they want, or we don’t agree due to personal preferences. This is where we have a real chance to test how committed to You we are Lord. If we cannot obey authorities because we don’t agree with them or don’t like them or did not vote for them; can we really consider ourselves obedient to the You? Is partial obedience really obedience? This is a fair question and we should be willing to check ourselves to see where we stand. Before we try to obey You Lord, Who we cannot see – how are we obeying the authorities You placed over us that we can see?

 

* Meditation Questions: How close to I live to those in authority over me? Do I first check to see if I like what it is I am submitting to, or if this authority is placed over me by You Lord? Am I accountable to anyone I have yielded authority to in my life? When I do not submit – what is the reason? Do I investigate to see why I do not submit?

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^[1] Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.

^[2] Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1995). Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (1159). Grand Rapids, MI: W.B. Eerdmans.

^[3] Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964- (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.