How to avoid condemnation from authorities

Romans 13:2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. The encouragement we receive today still is with reference to those that God has set over us for our good. The words of verses 1-2 in the Greek are interesting. The root word tasso is the word translated subjection in vs. 1, established in vs. 1, and then again in the word resists in vs. 2. Subjection (hupo tasso) is to arrange oneself under God’s appointed agent. Established (tasso) describes God’s appointment of an agent to a place of authority. And the word resist (antitasso) is to arrange oneself over against God’s appointed agent. When our goal is to love everyone God puts in our paths with Jesus, our relationship to the government agent or agency is to love them for their highest good. That means we must not obey laws that hurt or harm others or obey rulers who advocate actions that are detrimental to others. In situations like that, love makes an appeal based on the truth revealed in God’s Word. We not only show what is the loving thing to do, but also how it will be good for them when Jesus returns and they are to give an account for the administration of the jurisdiction to which they are appointed. This fulfills Paul’s admonition to submit to the governing authorities. Paul suggested that those who love in this way will not be condemned by God or by those authorities. There may be times when we are called by God to suffer at the hands of evil authorities. In such cases, the last verses of chapter 12 are to be applied. “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,’ says the Lord. ‘BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This is not resisting or setting ourselves against God’s agents, in fact, quite the contrary. We are living to love with Jesus those God has placed in our paths with a view to His receiving glory on the day of His coming. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com