BESIDE STILL WATERS: Do we have to submit to godless authorities?

We know that God advises us to submit to “governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established” (Romans 13:1).

We are also advised that rebelling against authority is rebelling against God (Romans 13:2).

But at the same time God teaches that this “governing authority” must be established by Him and must take directives from Him to love and serve His people.

This “governing authority” must honour God, encourage citizens to obey Him and must live up to its role, which is to treat people justly and fairly.

The question is, do our “governing authorities” in South Africa today reflect the Biblical description of what good leadership and governance is about?

Unfortunately we see the opposite most of the times.

We see more kings than servants; more egotistical than altruistic leadership; leadership which demands to be respected when in fact disrespect God; leadership that plays on scare tactics telling people that God will curse those who disobey them when in fact they are desperate for votes.

We see governing authorities that care more about themselves than the people and is involved in private use of public recourses, bribery and improper favouritism.

Jesus says, “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:25-28).

I do not think God wants us to submit to the authorities that disrespect Him and forces people to be anti-God. In fact He empowers us to hate evil and stand against it.

Jesus and his apostles also disobeyed the government with their higher loyalty to God and they faced torture and execution.

South Africa, please wake up!

We need leaders who are God-sent as Peter says in 1 Peter 2:13-14.

We cannot run away from the fact that Christians and the church have a prophetic calling to remind government of its task (justice for all) and of the moral base on which a society should be built.

We won’t only pray for our leaders, but will also watch them closely and hold them accountable.

We must be responsible citizens as well as responsible Christians.