Contemporary Christian Reflection on Authority, The Rule of Law, Divine Privilege & Servant Leadership

Authority, The Rule of Law, Divine Privilege & Servant Leadership

Since Christianity is an invitation to people to become followers of Jesus Christ it promotes a stable and peaceful environment where people are free to choose to follow Christ or not. Christians are therefore encouraged to pray for the government so that they may live peaceful, quiet and godly lives which may attract others to salvation in Christ (1 Tim. 2:1-7). We belong to a heavenly kingdom, a royal priesthood and are a people belonging to God (1 Pet. 2:9). However, we are also aliens and strangers in the world with a divine mandate to live good godly lives (1 Pet. 2:12), being witnesses and ambassadors of Christ, pleading with people to be reconciled with God (2 Cor. 5:20).

Submission to authority
As ambassadors in a foreign land we are encouraged to submit to every authority, both national and local (1 Pet. 2:13-17). Jesus Christ himself gave us the example in Matthew 22:19-21 where after establishing that it is the image of Ceasar on the coin he proclaims that one should "Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's". In other words if you use the system put in place by the authorities you also follow its rules. However, he qualifies this by also stating that we should render unto God what belongs to God.  In so doing Jesus makes it clear that all human beings, by virtue of being the image bearers of God, belong to God and should render their lives to Him. In Romans 13:1-7 the apostle Paul stresses civil obedience to the authorities, including the paying of taxes and revenue, but also the demonstration of due respect and honour. However, when the government in Jerusalem tried to forbid the apostles to speak or teach in the name of Jesus Christ, the apostles Peter and John replied that one should rather obey God than man (Acts 4:18-20). This means that where the demands of the government clearly clash with the demands of God as revealed in the character, life, action and teachings of Christ we are under no obligation to obey such demands.

Disobedience to authority
Every Christian is obliged to obey the laws of the land, unless these laws are in contradiction with the constitution, the supreme law of the land. In that case one may appeal to the higher law to justify not obeying the lesser law. However, a Christian is bound by an even higher constitution than any earthly constitution or international laws or treaties, namely the Law of Christ. If any human-made law, constitution, treaty or regulation, or part thereof is contrary to the Law of Christ, then the contrary part may be disobeyed. This should not be done lightly and only after careful thought and reflection and if there are any ways by which we can obey both the Law of Christ and at the same time the lesser human-made laws, then we ought to pursue this course as part of our witness in the world. If obedience to Gods higher law means we incur persecution we must rejoice in this for in the same way the martyrs of old suffered and received their heavenly reward. But none of us should suffer punishment for breaking the law in any other way, for in breaking it we disobeyed both our earthly and our heavenly leadership. If we conclude that the laws or regulations and requirements in a country, society, corporation, ecclesiastical body or any human organization do not suit our personal preferences we should move to another location with more agreeable laws and regulations.

When in a position of authority

A Christian may end up in a position of earthly authority or someone in earthly authority becoming a Christian.  They need to be reminded that in spite of their exalted position they are still subject to the Law of Christ and all his commandments. Consequently they need to consider how in their position they can best serve Christ, God’s people, the people they have been mandated to rule, and the whole world at large. Particularly for a person in authority with a mandate to rule and serve a defined group of people may lose sight of the fact that as a Christian he/she needs to have a global focus (Matt. 28:18-20).

The statement of Paul in Romans 13:1-7 should not be misconstrued that because all government is instituted by God therefore government or a ruler can do as it sees fit. To the contrary, the ruler is mandated to rule on behalf of God and has the responsibility to promote justice and equality, goodness and well-being for all while suppressing what is evil in society. Regardless of whatever constitution the king or ruler may have sworn allegiance to, he is also bound by the Law of Christ.

In Psalm 72 King David reflects on his kingship in the light of the divine and eternal kingship of God and recognises God as the ultimate law-giver (Ps. 72:1). In the light of Gods law the king must promote justice in society and defend the cause of the weak and the poor and keep oppressors at bay (Ps. 72:2-4). This is as relevant today as it was 1000BC and even if you do not have real power as in the case of a constitutional monarch this does not prevent you from making the above your priority. You can use your God given position to campaign for the cause of the weak, the poor, the needy and the vulnerable.  If God puts you in a position of authority it does not mean you have a Divine right to rule, no, you have been given a Divine privilege to be a servant of all. The Divine King is the prime example of such servanthood as He defends the cause of the poor, vulnerable and oppressed in society (Ps. 72:12-14). For such a ruler people will pray, contribute to, and wish him Gods blessings (Ps. 72:15).

One does not need to be a king or political ruler to apply the above principles because any leader under God is supposed to follow this example, whether in church, business or society.

Nevertheless, regardless of whether you are in a position of authority or not, you have only one Master to whom you are ultimately accountable, for the rest you ought to use your freedom in Him to be the loving servant of all in order to save some (1 Cor. 9:19-23).