Respect Authority
What does the Bible say about respecting authority or even submitting to authority? Why would God want us to respect or submit to those who are not worthy of it? How far should a person submit?
What does the Bible say about respecting authority? -
- God and respect - 1 Peter 2:15-17
- Freedom from fear - Hebrews 13v5-8
- Respect parents - Ephesians 6:1-3
- Respect bosses - Ephesians 6:5-8
- Respect Government - Romans 13:1-2
- Limits to obedience - Acts 4v18-20
God and respect
1 Peter 2:15-17
It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- In life, how do you observe God being respectful to people, even to the unworthy?
- What does it mean to be both free and to be a slave of God?
- Who, as God’s slaves, are we asked to show respect to?
Thoughts to consider
Peter shows us that freedom should be used to be respectful to everyone. God is respectful to people, so in being respectful, we express something of him.
Freedom from fear
Hebrews 13v5-8
God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” So we can say with confidence, “The LORD is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What is the context of God's overarching protection?
- What aspects of our leaders' lives are we instructed to learn from?
Thoughts to consider
All leaders are human and make mistakes. That does not excuse our disrespect. Rather, we learn the positives that we can from them and look to God to keep us safe as we try our best to be respectful.
Respect parents
Ephesians 6:1-3
Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What reasons are given for honouring parents?
- Why would God promise to make things go well for those who honour?
- What is the difference between honour and obey?
Thoughts to consider
The relationship between child and parent is a changing one. In early years, obedience is unquestioned. As adults, the child has to make their own decisions, and yet honour the parent. In between there should be a shift between the two positions for a healthy relationship.
Respect bosses
Ephesians 6:5-8
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What motivation can we have in respecting those who are our bosses?
- How can we do things for Jesus when being ordered by those who are disrespectful?
- Why is it important to focus only on the Lord for his reward for what we do?
Thoughts to consider
Just as we honour God out of our loyalty to him, so we honour those in authority over us as a physical expression of our devotion to God. This honouring of God sets the limits of submission.
No leader is perfect or totally lacking. When I am motivated by Christ who loves me I am trusting the one who limits the scope of what any leader can do. When Jesus is in view, my respect for my boss is because this is what my Lord has asked of me.
Respect Government
Romans 13:1-2
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.
Questions for reflection or discussion
- Why would the Lord want people to be under authority?
- How does God’s placing people under authority speak to how we are designed as people?
Thoughts to consider
At the time that this was written, the Roman ruler set himself up as a god who had to be worshiped. So, just because someone is given a place from God does not mean their actions reflect what God desires. The point of our submission is that we are learning to submit to God and trust him for his protection and provision in a challenging situation.
Limits to Obedience
Acts 4:18-20
So they called the apostles back in and commanded them never again to speak or teach in the name of Jesus.
But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.”
Questions for reflection or discussion
- What did the governing authority command Peter and John to do that they did not feel able to obey?
- How did Peter and John show respect while not obeying?
Thoughts to consider
When authority tells a person to do something that God has ordered them not to do, then there is a clear conflict. In such a case one must obey God rather than the authority.
Overview question for reflection or discussion
- How does our freedom in Christ open the way for us to honour authority?
- How does our submission to authority help us understand our place with God?
Thoughts to consider
We are people created to submit to God. One form of training to help us learn how, is to learn how to respect those in authority over us. It can be a challenge to give respect to those whose actions are not respectful. The way through the maze is to keep eyes on Jesus.
