AUTHORITY-HUMAN

It is easy to criticize and find fault with the conduct of kings, and write furious articles against them in newspapers, or make violent speeches about them on platforms. Any fool can rip and rend a costly garment, but not every man can cut out and make one. To expect perfection in kings, prime ministers, or rulers of any king, is senseless and unreasonable. We would exhibit more wisdom if we prayed for them more, and criticized less.

J.C. Ryle

Many seem to think they have a responsibility to submit to authority only as long as they agree with it, or as long as it is fair in their eyes, or as long as it does not require too much inconvenience.

Bryan Chapell

Titus Commentary, Crossway, 200, p. 357.

(Within the Holy Trinity) we see that in principle the notion of subordination does not carry with it the notion of inferiority… Christ willingly submitted to the Father, without a word of protest. It is precisely that willingness that we are called to imitate in submitting ourselves to authority.

R.C. Sproul

The Intimate Marriage, P&R Publishing, 1975, p. 45.

All authority is under Christ. When we disobey lesser authorities, we are guilty of disobeying Christ. You cannot serve the King and honor His authority by rebelling against His appointed governors. To say you honor the kingdom of Christ while you disobey His authority structure is to be guilty not only of hypocrisy but of cosmic treason.

R.C. Sproul

The Intimate Marriage, P&R, 2003, p. 41.

When the church takes its mind and heart away from Christ and His words, human authority and tradition fills the vacuum.

R.C. Lucas

God Ordained Authorities:

Government: Rom. 13:1-7, 1 Pet. 2:17

Employer: Eph. 6: 5-8, Col. 3:22-25, Pet. 2:18

Husband: 1 Pet 3:1, Col 3:18, Eph 5:22

Parent: Eph 6:1-3; Col. 3:20

Elders: Heb 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:5

Author Unknown

At the same time, however, the kind of trust that we are called to give to our fellow imperfect humans in this life, be they family or friends, employers or government officials, or even leaders in a church, can never finally be earned. It must be given as a gift- a gift in faith, in trust more of the God who gives than of the leaders He has given (Eph. 4:11-13).

Mark Dever

Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Crossway, 2000, p. 214.

God can and does work in the hearts and minds of rulers and officials of government to accomplish His sovereign purpose. Their hearts and minds are as much under His control as the impersonal physical laws of nature. Yet their every decision is made freely—most often without any thought or regard to the will of God.

Jerry Bridges

We should take more seriously our responsibility to pray for the leaders of our government that they will make wise decisions. Although we may suspect that some of the more disastrous decisions are evidence of God’s judgment, we do not know that. We do know God has instructed us to pray for leaders. Our duty, then, is to pray for wise decisions, but to trust when foolish and harmful decisions are made.

Jerry Bridges

The so-called sovereign nations of the world are not truly sovereign. They are nothing more than instruments in the hand of God to accomplish His will; sometimes to protect His people, sometimes to open doors for advancement of the gospel, and sometimes to be His instrument of judgment against ungodliness. As God looks down upon the nations that accomplish His purpose, even while rebelling against Him, He sees them as nothing more than His instruments (Isaiah 10:15).

Jerry Bridges

No one need to think that the world can be ruled without blood. The civil sword shall and must be red and bloody.

Martin Luther