Reading: Titus and Philemon
Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men(Titus 3:1-2).
Paul, imprisoned and facing an uncertain future, identified himself simply as a prisoner of Jesus Christ (Phlm. 1:1). To him, nothing else mattered. He was content wherever he was because he knew that Jesus remained in control. Even so, Paul accepted that he was a Roman citizen and that he lived under the authority of Roman law (Acts 16:37; 22:25-27). He addressed this issue at length in his letter of introduction to the believers in Rome: Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation (Rom. 13:1-2).
Many well-meaning Christians today question the literal interpretation of these directives. They refuse to believe that God would ‘support’ the ungodly, so they soften Paul’s words by claiming that believers are only called to submit themselves to the rule of righteous, God-fearing individuals. They teach that all governmental mandates that are not based upon the principles of God should be ignored. They rally around this verse: Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29), using it as a ‘God-pass’ to justify anarchy. God’s Word, however, does not back up their claim.
And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at Him (Mark 12:17). Christians are not at liberty to choose which laws to obey and which to disobey. Peter was led by God to write: Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 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. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men (I Pet. 2:13-15). As long as the laws do not directly contradict His commandments, God expects us to obey them.
We are given an example of this in Paul's advice to Onesimus, a runaway slave. While slavery was/is an immoral construct (a fact that Paul did not argue against, as we can see in his letter to Philemon), it was still supported by the law of the land, and it was against the law for a slave to run away. Having given himself over to Christ, it was Onesimus’ responsibility to comply with the law and accept the consequences of his actions. Paul appealed to Philemon to receive Onesimus’ with kindness, as a brother in Christ, but he did not dispute Philemon’s right (under the law) to handle things as he saw fit.
God has put us under earthly authority, but that does not mean that we, as Christians, have the right to mistreat others or prosper at their expense just because the law allows for it. God has commanded us to love one another as He has loved us (John 13:34), and no authority exists that has the power to supersede that command.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men(Rom. 12:18).
Thought for Today: God has us obey the laws of man not to bind us to the world, but instead so that we recognize His authority over it.
Cross References: For Titus 1:2: See Num. 23:19.Word Studies:Titus 1:14 Jewish fables = myths; 2:10 purloining = stealing, even small things; Philemon 1:8 enjoin = to order you to do that which is proper; 1:12 mine own bowels = out of my very heart.
Pray for StaffTifany Parisi • Country: Lebanon (5,882,562) Middle East • Major Languages: Arabic, French • Limited Religious Freedom • 59.7% Muslim; 39% Christian; 1.3% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Confess and forsake all sin (Is. 59:12-13).