Blog

“You’re not the boss of me!”

How many times did we say that as kids? We wanted to make it perfectly clear that they were not the authority and we didn’t have to do what they said.

It’s part of our human nature to be our own authority, isn’t it? We do not like someone telling us what to do. We want to be our own authority, be free to choose what we feel or think is good for us, and we do not want any consequences for our choices.

It’s been this way since the beginning.

Look at how Satan tempted Eve. All he had to do was get her to question God’s authority and goodness.

Did God really say…

As Eve looked upon the tree that God had forbidden, she started thinking that maybe God was keeping something good from her. And she wanted it.

Genesis 3:6 “The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.”

Adam and Eve had the freedom to choose. And they chose to go their own way, disobeying God, resulting in the greatest consequence – separation from God due to sin.

God is our creator. He has all authority. We have the freedom to choose whether or not we will obey, however, we are not free from the consequences that come as a result.

Throughout history, people have continued to struggle with the idea of authority. Paul instructed the believers in Rome that respect for authority was honorable to God.

Romans 13:1-7 “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. 6 Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.”

Whether you completely agree with our government or not or you’re somewhere in between, they are still the authority. Do you think the Roman government in Paul’s day was without corruption? Of course not! That’s why the Jewish people were desperately awaiting the Messiah because they believed He would destroy them.

But that’s not what Jesus came to do. He is the righteous King and has all authority, but His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). While here, Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s.

Mark 13:13-17 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial taxfn to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. God is in control, correct?

Men and women are in leadership roles because God has allowed it. Whether God uses them to bless or punish the people, they are appointed to carry out His will and judgment. As servants of Christ, we submit to His will, His authority, and His sovereignty. Out of respect for Him, we respect and follow the law.

Just as Jesus did.

The soldiers came to arrest Him. Peter was ready for a fight. But Jesus allowed them to take Him. He was tried in the court and was unfairly accused, but He never tried to flee, fight back, or curse them. Because it was the Father’s will. He was in obedience to the law and to the Father.

When or if we are forced to choose between obeying God and the law, our allegiance is to the Lord. Just as the disciples faced many times as they fulfilled the great commission – sharing the gospel throughout the land and were beaten, tortured, and executed.

We have a responsibility, a duty as citizens of our country to pray for good, Christ-like leaders. We are to honor those in authority God places in office in respect and reverence to Him.

May we be found faithful to do so.

Would you like to learn more about what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.Lifeword.org.

Copyright © 2025 Lifeword.org. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from Lifeword.org