The Bible Edge
Everyone needs an Edge, Believers can have the Bible Edge
Romans 13:1
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.
Want to know how important this is? Consider the next verse. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Romans 13:2 The key to escape this dungeon of doom is to understand the promise of God contained herein. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. An unconditional promise of God is this: There is no power but of God.
For societal governance, the Lord God has established a power structure. He gives a fraction of His power to individuals. Proof of this point is found in a conversation that Jesus had with Pilate recorded in John 19:10-11. Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin. For clarification, when Jesus said, “from above” He was not speaking of Heaven or God the Father only (although this plan of men was allowed by God). He was also speaking of that power above Pilate, probably the Sanhedrin, or the High Priest of the day.
Being subject to the higher powers is God’s will. Some have no higher power than themselves. They are self-made and worship their creature. Some allow money to be their higher power, some popularity, some fun, some the pleasures of sin. Mostly though it is themselves. There is something about the nature of people that rebels against the powers placed in their life. They think they know better, and they might. They think those in power misuse their power, they might. They may think they could do a better job, they might. But none of these are excuses that the Lord accepts when it comes to this thing of being subject to the higher powers.
Today’s verse, Romans 13:1, is the only place in the entire Bible wherein the term “higher powers” is used. But throughout the Bible there are stories of individuals and groups alike willingly becoming subject to their higher powers. Jesus was subject to His parents although He probably knew much more than they. Paul spoke about keeping His body in subjection. Titus reminds all to be subject to principalities, powers and magistrates. Hebrews mentions the truth that children are to be subject to their fathers and believers to their pastors. Peter tells servants to be subject to their masters. In Ephesians it is proclaimed that churches should be subject to their head, Jesus Christ. On and on we could go.
An edge in life, a Bible Edge is to study the Bible to learn who, or what, your Biblical “higher powers” are and willingly subject yourselves to them.
William T. Howe, Ph.D.