Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
[Hebrews 13:17]
13 Then be in obedience to every ordinance of men, because of the Lord, whether to a king as supreme,
14 or to governors as sent by Him for vengeance on evildoers, but for praise on well-doers.
15 For such is the will of God, doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish men.
[1 Peter 2:13-15]
God expects us as believers to obey rightful authorities. It has become fashionable nowadays to rebel against authorities all in the name of democracy, freedom of speech, modernity or enlightenment.
Some of those that Bible commands us to obey include:
*Our parents (obviously). We’re commanded by God Himself to “Honour your father and your mother, so that your days may be long upon the land which Jehovah your God gives you” (Exodus 20:12). Paul the Apostle tells us it the first commandment with a promise (Ephesians 6:2).
*We’re also to obey our bosses at the workplace
*Political authorities and those in leadership in any way ought to obey.
To speak briefly on the last one, we have to obey and support people in authority to be able to execute their mandate whether we like or voted for them or not. They are God’s representatives at the moment and we need to regard them as such (Romans 13:1-7).Let’s remember it’s about theirOffice and not about them as persons; so anyone who occupies those offices deserve respect and honour. That’s God’s point of view.
One other thing is that leaders are just ordinary humans that God has chosen to use. They may have flaws and imperfections just like anyone of us. Moses, the man who spoke with God face to face had anger problems. He also married a foreigner, contrary to the norm, yet God didn’t take it kindly when Aaron and Miriam took matters into their own hands.
Let’s rather pray for those in leadership that God will help them do His will. A lot of forces contend with leaders to derail them. Paul admonishes us as follows: “First of all, then, I exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
Leaders must also remember they will account for their stewardship to God. If they steal our resources, abuse power and live recklessly, God will demand accountability of them even if they’re able to cover their backs successfully.
May God help us to pray and support our leaders the way God expects it to be. Amen