Rm13

"Submit to governing authorities, for there is NO authority except from God" v. 1

This is probably the most difficult principle to embrace in the whole bible! It's easy to submit when authority is godly. It's hard when authority is godless! But Paul jumps all human authority and goes directly to God. To disobey authority is to disobey God. We live to please God. God is pleased when we joyfully submit to authority.

This is not just a difficult chapter, it is a difficult reality. We resist and rebel against authority. God desires to grow our character and do His work as we submit to authority! It begins with our parents and extends to teachers, coaches, bosses and government. If a child doesn't learn to obey his parents (mostly a parent's job), he or she will struggle in every area of life.

We are always under authority. How we respond to it is a great window into our relationship with God.